Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Rochester, MN: $49,885 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Rochester, MN earns a median $49,885/year (≈ $23.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $54,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $49,885, the certified nursing assistant salary in Rochester MN is positioned favorably against the national average. This figure represents a significant post-COVID reset, reflecting how the local market has adapted to the growing demand for healthcare support professionals. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in Rochester spans from $40,832 at the 10th percentile to $57,318 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy spread within the profession. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As the healthcare sector continues to recover and expand, the job market for CNAs in Rochester is likely to remain robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,832 | $19.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,557 | $20.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,885 | $23.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,927 | $24.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,318 | $27.55 |
Median Salary Position
10.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,486 (2026 est.). At $49,885, the local median is 10.84% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $49,885/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $49,440 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +10.84% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Rochester, MN earn a median of $49,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.84% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% above the Minnesota state average of $49,440.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $49,885 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,927 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,500
2025 BLS Actual
$46,840
2026 Current Est.
$49,885
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,885 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 31.9% from $35,500 (2019) to $46,840 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,627 (49.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $40,832 – $42,557 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,557 – $49,885 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,885 – $49,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,927 – $57,318 |
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 Rochester
In Rochester, approximately 1,550 certified nursing assistants are currently employed across various settings, highlighting a stable job market. The cost-of-living index in Rochester stands at 90.821, suggesting that the purchasing power for certified nursing assistant pay in Rochester MN is relatively favorable compared to the national average. The highest-paying employers typically include hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and rehabilitation centers, with factors such as shift differentials and agency premiums contributing to salary variations. For instance, working night shifts may yield an additional $2-4 per hour, while weekend shifts can also boost earnings. To maximize pay potential, pursuing further certifications, such as becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN), taking advantage of weekend-only premium roles, and exploring roles in high-acuity settings could prove beneficial for aspiring CNAs in Rochester.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $46,840 for certified nursing assistantsin the Rochester 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
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