Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Inver Grove Heights, MN: $48,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Inver Grove Heights, MN earns a median $48,472/year (≈ $23.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Inver Grove Heights's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $49,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, presents a promising salary landscape for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026, with a median annual income of $48,472, which surpasses the national median of $45,007 by 7.70%. Salaries for this occupation in the area vary significantly, spanning from $39,164 for those in the lower 10th percentile to $60,086 for the top 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, offer an invaluable perspective for those aiming to advance their credentials, particularly through the CNA-to-LPN pathway. With the local demand for healthcare professionals on the rise, especially following the post-COVID-19 staffing crisis, the job market in Inver Grove Heights remains strong and may yield competitive opportunities for motivated candidates seeking career growth.
About the Inver Grove Heights Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,164 | $18.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,309 | $20.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,472 | $23.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,061 | $25.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,086 | $28.88 |
Median Salary Position
7.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Inver Grove Heights
In Inver Grove Heights, MN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,922 (2026 est.). At $48,472, the local median is 7.7% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Inver Grove Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Inver Grove Heights Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Inver Grove Heights median: $48,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Inver Grove Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $49,462 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +7.70% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Inver Grove Heights, MN earn a median of $48,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.70% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $49,462.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Inver Grove Heights has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Inver Grove Heights, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $48,472 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,210 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,944
2025 BLS Actual
$45,514
2026 Current Est.
$48,472
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Inver Grove Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,944 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,514 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Inver Grove Heights metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,944 (2019) to $45,514 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,679 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Inver Grove Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,164 – $42,309 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,309 – $48,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,472 – $52,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,061 – $60,086 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Inver Grove Heights
The employment scene for certified nursing assistants in Inver Grove Heights involves around 10 individuals in the workforce, highlighting a concentrated yet competitive market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which means that CNAs' take-home pay is relatively advantageous when measured against local expenses. Healthcare facilities such as skilled nursing centers and hospitals are among the top employers offering higher wages, while niche jobs within home health agencies and rehabilitation hospitals can also provide lucrative pay. Factors influencing the disparity in earnings include shift differentials for evening and weekend hours, agency premium pay during staffing shortages, and bonuses for specialized certifications. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring CNAs should seek opportunities that offer these differentials and consider further certifications to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Inver Grove Heights, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,514 for certified nursing assistantsin the Inver Grove Heights metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Inver Grove Heights is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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