Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bismarck, ND: $52,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Bismarck, ND — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $52,313/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Bismarck's price premium (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $57,472 in average-cost America. The 5% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, the potential for earning as a senior certified nursing assistant is significant, with top-tier salaries reaching up to $52,313 in 2026. This upper percentile compensation not only highlights the value placed on experienced professionals, but it also establishes a noticeable gap of nearly $2,556 from the median annual salary of $49,757. Such premiums are commonplace in the realm of senior healthcare roles, as they require extensive hands-on experience and specialized skill sets. Achieving this level of pay or even reaching the $51,322 benchmark at the 75th percentile often necessitates a deeper commitment to training and proficiency in areas that are in high demand within the industry in Bismarck, ND.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Bismarck earn between $51,322 and $52,313 per year (2026 est.). This $13,930 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Bismarck median of $49,757 sits 10.55% above the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Bismarck | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $49,757 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,322 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $52,313 | $55,359 |
In Bismarck, experienced certified nursing assistants (P90) earn 5.14% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Certified Nursing Assistant Pay in Bismarck
Advanced Certifications in North Dakota
ND certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $49,757 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Bismarck employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Bismarck command premium compensation, often reaching the $51,322–$52,313 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Bismarck metro area, which is a large CNA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced certified nursing assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured certified nursing assistants in Bismarck with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Certified Nursing Assistants in North Dakota who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Certified Nursing Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Bismarck
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBismarck ranks #2 of 8 North Dakota cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $52,313).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Bismarck ($52,313) is 1.07% below the North Dakota average P90 ($52,880).
2019 BLS Actual
$41,750
2025 BLS Actual
$49,120
2026 Current Est.
$52,313
2019–2027 Growth
+33.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,713 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Bismarck saw their compensation grow 17.7% from $41,750 in 2019 to $49,120 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 6.50% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $55,713 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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.
Maximizing Your Certified Nursing Assistant Earnings in Bismarck
Various factors influence compensation for senior certified nursing assistants in Bismarck. Specializations such as restorative aide, medication aide, and dementia care can lead to higher pay due to their complexity and critical nature in enhancing patient welfare. The type of employer also plays a substantial role, with facilities such as hospitals and skilled nursing homes typically offering competitive rates compared to assisted living communities. Career advancement opportunities also abound, leading to positions such as charge CNA or even pathways toward becoming an LPN or RN. Upscaling credentials through state certification, obtaining CPR/BLS qualifications, and pursuing specialized certifications in medication administration or hospice care can vastly improve earning potential. Additionally, senior-level roles often come with benefits like shift differentials, elevating earnings further during night and weekend shifts or higher pay during shortages, adding layers to total compensation that go beyond base salary figures for experienced certified nursing assistant salaries in Bismarck.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Bismarck in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Bismarck?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Bismarck?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Bismarck?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Bismarck?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $49,120 for certified nursing assistants in the Bismarck metro area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical 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