Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Minnesota: $49,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $49,969/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,730 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($48,020), St. Paul ($47,538), Bloomington ($47,169).
In Minnesota, certified nursing assistants are projected to earn an average median salary of $49,969 in 2026, which is 11.0% higher than the national median of $45,007. This salary reflects the demand for CNAs in the state, where a total of 20,702 certified nursing assistants are employed. The disparities in pay among cities are significant; Minneapolis, the highest-paying city, offers an average of $51,141, while St. Cloud, the lowest, pays $42,738. This $8,403 salary gap can largely be attributed to differences in the cost of living, local healthcare facilities, and demand for nursing services. Minnesota has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect compensation. The state’s focus on providing quality healthcare contributes to a strong job market for CNAs, and the projected annual growth rate of 6.50% indicates an increasing demand for these professionals. Other key cities forecasted to offer competitive salaries include St. Paul at $50,628, Bloomington at $50,235, Maple Grove at $50,119, and Woodbury at $50,099. The overall outlook for employment in this sector remains positive as healthcare continues to evolve and expand across the state.
Minnesota Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $37,301 (lowest entry-level) to $67,679 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota certified nursing assistants earn 11.02% more than the national median (+$4,962/year difference).
Minnesota Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Minnesota range from $41,618 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,963 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,969. The Minnesota median is $4,962 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.03/hr. Approximately 20,702 certified nursing assistants are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,135
2025 BLS Actual
$46,919
2026 Current Est.
$49,969
2019–2027 Growth
+47.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,087 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,686 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,919 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,217 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 29.8% from $36,135 (2019) to $46,919 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,217 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,082 (47.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $49,885 | 90.821 | $54,927 |
| Mankato | $49,448 | 90.955 | $54,365 |
| Duluth | $47,126 | 88.768 | $53,089 |
| St. Paul | $50,628 | 98.5 | $51,399 |
| Bloomington | $50,235 | 98.5 | $51,000 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,618 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,969 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $58,963 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $51,141 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $50,628 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $50,235 |
| 4 | Maple Grove | $50,119 |
| 5 | Woodbury | $50,099 |
| 6 | Eden Prairie | $50,052 |
| 7 | Rochester | $49,885 |
| 8 | Mankato | $49,448 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $49,087 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $49,022 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $48,936 |
| 12 | Roseville | $48,907 |
| 13 | Chaska | $48,869 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $48,858 |
| 15 | Cottage Grove | $48,803 |
| 16 | Burnsville | $48,763 |
| 17 | Lakeville | $48,583 |
| 18 | Chanhassen | $48,550 |
| 19 | Inver Grove Heights | $48,472 |
| 20 | Eagan | $48,466 |
| 21 | Brooklyn Center | $48,453 |
| 22 | Elk River | $48,446 |
| 23 | Prior Lake | $48,396 |
| 24 | Ramsey | $48,220 |
| 25 | Blaine | $48,016 |
| 26 | Apple Valley | $47,941 |
| 27 | Shakopee | $47,893 |
| 28 | Coon Rapids | $47,887 |
| 29 | Savage | $47,809 |
| 30 | Edina | $47,804 |
| 31 | Maplewood | $47,663 |
| 32 | Andover | $47,651 |
| 33 | Richfield | $47,629 |
| 34 | St. Louis Park | $47,625 |
| 35 | Moorhead | $47,555 |
| 36 | Northfield | $47,211 |
| 37 | Duluth | $47,126 |
| 38 | Hastings | $47,111 |
| 39 | Fridley | $46,899 |
| 40 | Winona | $46,861 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $46,842 |
| 42 | Austin | $46,769 |
| 43 | Faribault | $46,710 |
| 44 | St. Cloud | $42,738 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Minnesota?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov