Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in North Dakota: $45,388 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $45,388/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,335 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($46,720), Grand Forks ($45,740), Fargo ($39,940).
In North Dakota, salaries for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are slightly above the national average, with a projected average median salary of $45,388 in 2026, compared to the national median of $45,007, marking an increase of 0.8%. The highest paying city for CNAs is Bismarck, where salary projections reach $49,757, while Mandan presents the lowest projected earnings at $38,699, resulting in a salary gap of $11,058. This difference can be attributed to local demand, the cost of living, and specific healthcare facility requirements in each city. State licensing requirements in North Dakota necessitate CNAs to complete a state-approved training program and pass a certification exam. The demand for CNAs is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.50%, reflecting a consistent increase in the need for healthcare services driven by an aging population and an expanding healthcare sector. The job market for CNAs is strong, with a total of 5,057 employed in the state across eight metro areas. Other cities of note include Grand Forks at $48,713, Fargo at $42,536, West Fargo at $40,693, and Dickinson at $40,487. These projections indicate a favorable outlook for individuals entering this profession in North Dakota.
North Dakota Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $32,498 (lowest entry-level) to $54,102 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota certified nursing assistants earn 0.85% more than the national median (+$381/year difference).
North Dakota Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in North Dakota range from $36,724 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,880 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,388. The North Dakota median is $381 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $21.82/hr. Approximately 5,057 certified nursing assistants are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,726
2025 BLS Actual
$42,618
2026 Current Est.
$45,388
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,019 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,777 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,939 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,388 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 26.4% from $33,726 (2019) to $42,618 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,613 (43.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $38,699 |
| Minot | $38,873 |
| Williston | $39,510 |
| Dickinson | $40,487 |
| West Fargo | $40,693 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $48,713 | 86.663 | $56,210 |
| Bismarck | $49,757 | 91.024 | $54,664 |
| Fargo | $42,536 | 90.871 | $46,809 |
| Minot | $38,873 | 87.028 | $44,667 |
| West Fargo | $40,693 | 92 | $44,232 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,724 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $45,388 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,880 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $49,757 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $48,713 |
| 3 | Fargo | $42,536 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $40,693 |
| 5 | Dickinson | $40,487 |
| 6 | Williston | $39,510 |
| 7 | Minot | $38,873 |
| 8 | Mandan | $38,699 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in North Dakota in 2026?
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How does North Dakota certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
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How many certified nursing assistants are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota 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 North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 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