Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Mandan, ND: $38,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Mandan, ND earns a median $38,699/year (≈ $18.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Mandan's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $42,064 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Mandan, North Dakota, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $38,699, which reflects a notable contrast to the national median of $45,007. Local salary estimates show a range from $34,484 at the 10th percentile to $45,206 at the 90th percentile, indicating variations in pay due to experience and specific job roles. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted to reflect regional cost considerations, allowing for a clearer understanding of the local market. In Mandan, where the employment for certified nursing assistants remains steady with only six individuals currently in the field, the compensation landscape reveals a competitive environment influenced by the choice between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, contributing to differentials in remuneration.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,484 | $16.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,174 | $16.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,699 | $18.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,491 | $20.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,206 | $21.74 |
Median Salary Position
14.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mandan
In Mandan, ND, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,722 (2026 est.). At $38,699, the local median is 14.02% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mandan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mandan Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Mandan median: $38,699/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mandan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $41,389 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.02% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Mandan, ND earn a median of $38,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.02% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.50% below the North Dakota state average of $41,389.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mandan has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mandan, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,699 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,064 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,503
2025 BLS Actual
$36,337
2026 Current Est.
$38,699
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,503 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,748 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mandan metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,503 (2019) to $36,337 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,711 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan 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) | $34,484 – $35,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,174 – $38,699 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,699 – $42,491 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,491 – $45,206 |
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 Mandan
The strong job market for certified nursing assistants in Mandan is complemented by a cost-of-living index of 92, which means that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for CNAs remains relatively favorable. In this area, the highest-paying employers tend to be skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies, with hospitals offering differentiated pay based on acuity levels and specialized care units. Factors influencing the salary spread include shift differentials, with night shifts typically earning an additional $2-4 per hour, and weekend premiums adding another $1-3. To maximize earnings, CNAs can consider weekend-only roles or positions that offer agency premium pay during staffing shortages. Additionally, pursuing certification as a Medical Assistant (CMA) can lead to increased pay opportunities, playing a valuable role in career advancement pathways toward becoming an LPN or RN.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
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 $36,337 for certified nursing assistantsin the Mandan 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 Mandan 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