Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wausau, WI: $46,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wausau, WI earns a median $46,498/year (≈ $22.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $50,186 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $46,498 in 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Wausau, WI, find themselves in a competitive pay bracket compared to the national median of $45,007. This local figure represents a solid range from $39,565 to $51,120, suggesting ample opportunities for career advancement and higher earnings, particularly for those pursuing further credentials like LPN or RN qualifications. Drawing from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, it's evident that Wausau's market for CNAs is robust, backed by a blend of professional growth pathways and the rising demand for healthcare workers in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,565 | $19.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,311 | $19.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,498 | $22.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,734 | $23.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,120 | $24.58 |
Median Salary Position
3.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,555 (2026 est.). At $46,498, the local median is 3.31% above the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be above the median
How Wausau Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wausau median: $46,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,495 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +3.31% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wausau, WI earn a median of $46,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.31% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $46,498 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,186 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,040
2025 BLS Actual
$43,660
2026 Current Est.
$46,498
2019–2027 Growth
+64.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,520 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 45.3% from $30,040 (2019) to $43,660 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,520 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,480 (64.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $39,565 – $41,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,311 – $46,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,498 – $48,734 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,734 – $51,120 |
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 Wausau
With 710 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Wausau, the local job market remains strong, where the cost of living index sits at 92.651, below the national average. This lower cost of living means that CNAs can enjoy a favorable take-home pay relative to their expenses. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer higher wages, especially for roles involving critical care like ICUs or rehabilitation hospitals. The pay spread within the sector is influenced by various factors, including shift differentials, which can boost earnings by $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends, alongside premium pay rates triggered by staffing shortages. Aspiring CNAs can maximize their earning potential in Wausau by pursuing certifications or roles that align with higher acuity care, taking advantage of weekend shifts and agency work to increase their overall pay.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $43,660 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wausau 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