Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Moorhead, MN: $47,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Moorhead, MN earns a median $47,555/year (≈ $22.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $48,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Moorhead, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,555, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $45,007. Salary ranges in this region extend from $40,846 at the 10th percentile to $58,750 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy variation in pay based on experience, employer, and specific job responsibilities. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, showcasing the reality that certified nursing assistant pay in Moorhead tends to reflect the balance between skilled nursing facilities and hospital roles. Understanding this context can help job seekers pinpoint their employment strategies within the local job market.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,846 | $19.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,298 | $20.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,555 | $22.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,750 | $28.24 |
Median Salary Position
5.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,904 (2026 est.). At $47,555, the local median is 5.66% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $47,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $49,434 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +5.66% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $47,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $49,434.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead 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.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $47,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,279 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,340
2025 BLS Actual
$44,653
2026 Current Est.
$47,555
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,597 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,785 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,363 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,892 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,653 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $31,340 (2019) to $44,653 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,307 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $40,846 – $43,298 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,298 – $47,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,555 – $51,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,100 – $58,750 |
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 Moorhead
Moorhead's workforce currently includes 11 certified nursing assistants, revealing a tight-knit local job market characterized by competition for talent. With a cost-of-living index at 98.5, which is slightly lower than the national average, the effective purchasing power for certified nursing assistants is enhanced, making their salaries more significant relative to local expenses. Employers like skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may offer the most lucrative options, while hospitals can also provide advantages like shift differentials and weekend premium pay, translating into substantial boosts in hourly earnings. The disparity in pay between different facilities is commonly driven by factors such as staffing shortages and acuity-based pay scales. For those looking to maximize earnings in Moorhead, targeting positions with weekend shifts or pursuing additional certifications can be beneficial strategies in a market increasingly sensitive to CNAs filling critical care roles.
More salary data for Moorhead, 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 $44,653 for certified nursing assistantsin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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