Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Onalaska, WI: $46,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Onalaska, WI earns a median $46,959/year (≈ $22.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $50,277 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $46,959 in 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Onalaska, Wisconsin, are positioned favorably within a post-COVID wage environment. The salary range for this role spans from $39,172 at the 10th percentile to $52,243 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating diversity in compensation based on experience and skill level. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances, indicate that Onalaska’s CNA wages are slightly above the national median of $45,007, offering a pay advantage of 4.34%. As local healthcare facilities look to attract and retain talent in a competitive labor market, the rising salaries reflect a continued investment in this critical role.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,172 | $18.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,646 | $20.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,959 | $22.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,804 | $23.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,243 | $25.11 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,071 (2026 est.). At $46,959, the local median is 4.34% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $46,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,481 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +4.34% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $46,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,481.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $46,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,277 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,946
2025 BLS Actual
$44,093
2026 Current Est.
$46,959
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,946 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,625 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,857 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,093 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $30,946 (2019) to $44,093 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,065 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $39,172 – $43,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,646 – $46,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,959 – $49,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,804 – $52,243 |
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 Onalaska
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently four certified nursing assistants employed in Onalaska, indicating a small but stable workforce in the area. The cost of living index for Onalaska stands at 93.4, suggesting a lower cost of living compared to the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for CNAs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals often present the highest pay scales. Factors contributing to compensation variability include shift differentials, with night shifts typically offering an additional $2-4 per hour and weekend shifts providing a $1-3 premium. Agency staffing demands during shortages can also lead to higher pay. For CNAs in Onalaska looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing weekend-only roles or certifications such as CMA can provide significant financial incentives, while also considering career pathways that bridge into LPN or RN positions can further increase long-term earning potential.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
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 $44,093 for certified nursing assistantsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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