Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wisconsin: $47,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $47,736/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,109 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sheboygan ($47,050), Waukesha ($46,266), Kenosha ($46,220).
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Wisconsin can expect an average median salary of $47,735, which is 6.1% higher than the national median of $45,007. The highest paying city in the state is Sheboygan, where CNAs earn an average of $50,108, while Janesville offers the lowest average salary at $42,312. This $7,796 gap can primarily be attributed to differences in the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and competition among employers for qualified staff. Wisconsin's CNA workforce is shaped by state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which mandate certain levels of training and certification. The state's healthcare system, coupled with an aging population, drives a steady demand for CNAs, contributing to a projected growth rate of 6.50% for 2026. Major metro areas such as Waukesha ($49,273), Kenosha ($49,224), Racine ($48,681), and Milwaukee ($48,660) also reflect strong salary offerings, further emphasizing the regional variability in pay. With a total employment figure of 21,229 CNAs in Wisconsin, the job market remains robust, providing ample opportunities for aspiring professionals in the healthcare field.
Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $33,639 (lowest entry-level) to $59,629 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin certified nursing assistants earn 6.06% more than the national median (+$2,729/year difference).
Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Wisconsin range from $40,787 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $53,354 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,736. The Wisconsin median is $2,729 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $22.95/hr. Approximately 21,229 certified nursing assistants are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,115
2025 BLS Actual
$44,822
2026 Current Est.
$47,736
2019–2027 Growth
+63.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,107 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,658 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,111 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,822 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 44.1% from $31,115 (2019) to $44,822 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,724 (63.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Janesville | $42,312 |
| Beloit | $42,409 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | $43,541 |
| Middleton | $43,906 |
| Platteville | $44,376 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan | $50,108 | 94.014 | $53,298 |
| Waukesha | $49,273 | 93.4 | $52,755 |
| Mount Pleasant | $48,609 | 93.4 | $52,044 |
| Fond du Lac | $47,382 | 91.643 | $51,703 |
| Appleton | $47,669 | 92.419 | $51,579 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,787 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,736 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $53,354 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheboygan | $50,108 |
| 2 | Waukesha | $49,273 |
| 3 | Kenosha | $49,224 |
| 4 | Racine | $48,681 |
| 5 | Milwaukee | $48,660 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $48,609 |
| 7 | Madison | $48,202 |
| 8 | Appleton | $47,669 |
| 9 | West Allis | $47,527 |
| 10 | Oshkosh | $47,488 |
| 11 | Fond du Lac | $47,382 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $47,211 |
| 13 | Greenfield | $47,208 |
| 14 | Onalaska | $46,959 |
| 15 | Menomonee Falls | $46,799 |
| 16 | Brookfield | $46,689 |
| 17 | West Bend | $46,663 |
| 18 | De Pere | $46,626 |
| 19 | New Berlin | $46,537 |
| 20 | Wausau | $46,498 |
| 21 | La Crosse | $46,338 |
| 22 | Green Bay | $46,274 |
| 23 | Sun Prairie | $46,143 |
| 24 | Caledonia | $46,018 |
| 25 | Eau Claire | $45,955 |
| 26 | Muskego | $45,919 |
| 27 | Stevens Point | $45,704 |
| 28 | Franklin | $45,652 |
| 29 | Oak Creek | $45,510 |
| 30 | Superior | $45,439 |
| 31 | Manitowoc | $45,417 |
| 32 | Pewaukee | $45,248 |
| 33 | South Milwaukee | $45,116 |
| 34 | Pleasant Prairie | $45,109 |
| 35 | Menomonie | $45,062 |
| 36 | Whitewater | $45,059 |
| 37 | Wauwatosa | $45,019 |
| 38 | Germantown | $44,988 |
| 39 | Marshfield | $44,970 |
| 40 | River Falls | $44,748 |
| 41 | Mequon | $44,380 |
| 42 | Platteville | $44,376 |
| 43 | Middleton | $43,906 |
| 44 | Wisconsin Rapids | $43,541 |
| 45 | Beloit | $42,409 |
| 46 | Janesville | $42,312 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Wisconsin?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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