Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Williston, ND: $39,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Williston, ND earns a median $39,510/year (≈ $19.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $42,946 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a certified nursing assistant salary in Williston, North Dakota, is projected to reach a median of $39,510, significantly lower than the national figure of $45,007. The salary range for this role spans from $33,430 at the 10th percentile to $46,818 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are informed by analysis from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. The difference in compensation is influenced by various factors, particularly the setting in which CNAs work. For instance, while skilled nursing facilities may offer competitive pay, those employed in hospitals, including medical-surgical units and ICU, often earn higher wages. The local job market, despite its fluctuations, and the type of care environment remain pivotal in determining salary levels for CNAs in Williston.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,576 | $20.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,818 | $22.51 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,388 (2026 est.). At $39,510, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Williston median: $39,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $41,416 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.21% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Williston, ND earn a median of $39,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $41,416.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,510 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,946 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,038
2025 BLS Actual
$37,099
2026 Current Est.
$39,510
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,535 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,603 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,079 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,038 (2019) to $37,099 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,079 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,041 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $33,430 – $35,600 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,600 – $39,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,510 – $43,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,576 – $46,818 |
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 Williston
The local employment landscape comprises just seven certified nursing assistants in Williston, which emphasizes the specialized nature of this role in the community. With a cost-of-living index at 92, CNAs may find their purchasing power impacted, despite the competitive salaries in some sectors. Employers like hospitals typically provide better pay compared to assisted living communities or home health agencies, largely due to the demands and acuity of cases they handle. Pay variations can be attributed to shift differentials, where evening and weekend shifts often garner an additional $2-$4 per hour. Additionally, some facilities may offer premium rates during staffing shortages, resulting in higher take-home pay for those willing to adapt their schedules. Potential CNAs looking to maximize their earnings should consider bridging into LPN or RN pathways, as advancing through education can significantly enhance financial prospects in Williston's healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Williston, 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 $37,099 for certified nursing assistantsin the Williston 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 Williston 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