Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $48,713 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $48,713/year (≈ $23.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $56,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the projected median annual certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 is $48,713, surpassing the national figure of $45,007 by approximately 8.23%. The data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, indicates a salary range from $37,626 at the 10th percentile to $52,004 at the 90th percentile. This significant pay scale reflects the demand for skilled nursing assistants within both skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, each presenting unique structural pay dynamics. With various healthcare environments competing for talent, certified nursing assistants in Grand Forks can find rewarding opportunities tailored to their professional strengths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,626 | $18.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,373 | $18.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,713 | $23.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,514 | $24.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,004 | $25.01 |
Median Salary Position
8.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,378 (2026 est.). At $48,713, the local median is 8.23% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Grand Forks Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $48,713/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $41,423 | +17.60% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +8.23% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $48,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.23% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 17.60% above the North Dakota state average of $41,423.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $48,713 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,210 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$34,060
2025 BLS Actual
$45,740
2026 Current Est.
$48,713
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,713 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 34.3% from $34,060 (2019) to $45,740 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,819 (52.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $37,626 – $39,373 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,373 – $48,713 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,713 – $51,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,514 – $52,004 |
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 Grand Forks
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Grand Forks is robust, with approximately 930 individuals currently employed in this vital role. The cost of living index in the area is notably lower at 86.663, which positively influences the purchasing power of CNA salaries and provides a more favorable take-home income despite varying wage levels. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest pay, while factors such as shift differentials and weekend premiums can further increase earnings. For example, night shifts often yield an additional $2 to $4 per hour, and weekend work can add another $1 to $3. To maximize earning potential, CNAs in Grand Forks may benefit from pursuing agency positions during staffing shortages, seeking certifications that increase marketability, and exploring accessible pathways to bridge to LPN or RN roles, reflecting the evolving landscape of the healthcare workforce in the post-COVID era.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Grand Forks, ND in 2026?
Is Grand Forks, ND a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Grand Forks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Grand Forks?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Grand Forks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 $45,740 for certified nursing assistantsin the Grand Forks 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