Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Whitewater, WI: $45,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Whitewater, WI earns a median $45,059/year (≈ $21.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Whitewater's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $48,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Whitewater, Wisconsin, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $45,059, which is slightly above the national median of $45,007. This pay structure reflects a range that extends from $37,476 at the lower end (P10) to $53,917 at the 90th percentile (P90), illustrating a diverse job market for CNAs. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and local adjustments for cost of living, providing a comprehensive view of compensation trends in this area. As the demand for skilled healthcare workers grows, Whitewater's job market is well-situated for individuals looking to transition from CNA roles to higher credentials such as LPN or RN.
About the Whitewater Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,476 | $18.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,885 | $19.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,059 | $21.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,646 | $22.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,917 | $25.92 |
Median Salary Position
0.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Whitewater
In Whitewater, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,441 (2026 est.). At $45,059, the local median is 0.12% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Whitewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Whitewater Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Whitewater median: $45,059/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Whitewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,481 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +0.12% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Whitewater, WI earn a median of $45,059 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 5.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,481.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Whitewater 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.
Whitewater, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,059 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,243 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,694
2025 BLS Actual
$42,309
2026 Current Est.
$45,059
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Whitewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,345 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,801 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,244 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,309 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,988 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Whitewater metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $29,694 (2019) to $42,309 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,988 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,294 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Whitewater 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) | $37,476 – $39,885 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,885 – $45,059 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,059 – $47,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,646 – $53,917 |
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 Whitewater
While the employment of certified nursing assistants in Whitewater is modest, with only four currently employed in local facilities, the compensation landscape offers opportunities for better earnings. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 93.4, suggests that living expenses are below the national average, thereby influencing take-home purchasing power positively. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may offer competitive wages, particularly when factoring in shift differentials for night and weekend work, which can add $2 to $4 per hour or more depending on shifts. It's crucial for CNAs in Whitewater to pursue additional certifications, such as CMA credentials, and to consider roles with weekend-only premiums or those positioned in higher acuity settings, as these factors can significantly elevate earning potential within the certified nursing assistant pay framework in Whitewater, WI.
More salary data for Whitewater, 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 $42,309 for certified nursing assistantsin the Whitewater 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 Whitewater 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