Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $45,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $45,019/year (≈ $21.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $48,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The certified nursing assistant salary in Wauwatosa, WI, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $45,019 in 2026, closely mirroring the national median of $45,007. Within this market, wages range from approximately $37,616 at the lower end to $54,379 for those at the higher end of the scale. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. As the job market adjusts to post-COVID realities, certified nursing assistants may find themselves in a competitive landscape, where their important roles in healthcare are increasingly recognized as essential.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,616 | $18.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,211 | $19.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,019 | $21.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,281 | $24.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,379 | $26.15 |
Median Salary Position
0.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,763 (2026 est.). At $45,019, the local median is 0.03% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $45,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,488 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +0.03% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $45,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.03% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa 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.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,019 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,668
2025 BLS Actual
$42,271
2026 Current Est.
$45,019
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,668 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,858 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,318 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,945 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $29,668 (2019) to $42,271 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,945 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,277 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $37,616 – $40,211 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,211 – $45,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,019 – $50,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,281 – $54,379 |
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 Wauwatosa
Currently, only 10 certified nursing assistants are employed in Wauwatosa, indicating a relatively small local workforce. The area exhibits a cost-of-living index of 93.4, which is below the national average, allowing for a decent take-home pay despite the smaller wage scale compared to larger markets. Notably, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to provide the highest compensation, particularly for roles that involve night shifts or weekends, reflecting a wage premium that can be between $1 to $4 per hour. To maximize earnings, aspiring CNAs should consider pursuing CMA certification, looking for weekend-only positions, and seeking out higher-acuity facilities that typically pay more. The ongoing growth rate of 6.50% in this sector suggests that there will be ample opportunities for advancement and bridging into LPN or RN positions in the near future.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 $42,271 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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