Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $51,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Fond du Lac, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $51,791/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Fond du Lac's price premium (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $56,514 in average-cost America. The 9% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, WI, the potential for experienced certified nursing assistants to earn top-tier salaries is substantial. Senior professionals can attain salaries reaching as high as $51,791, with a significant number of seasoned CNAs falling into the $49,118 bracket. This higher pay demonstrates a clear experience premium over the median salary of $47,382, highlighting the potential for financial growth within the field. Achieving this level of compensation requires not only extensive experience—typically over seven years—but also a dedication to advancing one's skills and possibly pursuing special certifications that can open doors to more lucrative roles within healthcare.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Fond du Lac earn between $49,118 and $51,791 per year (2026 est.). This $11,598 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Fond du Lac median of $47,382 sits 5.28% above the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Fond du Lac | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $47,382 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,118 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $51,791 | $55,359 |
In Fond du Lac, experienced certified nursing assistants (P90) earn 9.31% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Certified Nursing Assistant Pay in Fond du Lac
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $47,382 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Fond du Lac employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Fond du Lac command premium compensation, often reaching the $49,118–$51,791 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac 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 Wisconsin 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 Fond du Lac
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedFond du Lac ranks #36 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $51,791).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Fond du Lac ($51,791) is 2.93% below the Wisconsin average P90 ($53,353).
2019 BLS Actual
$37,470
2025 BLS Actual
$48,630
2026 Current Est.
$51,791
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,157 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Fond du Lac saw their compensation grow 29.8% from $37,470 in 2019 to $48,630 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 $55,157 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac
Analyzing the skills and employment settings that influence senior certified nursing assistant pay in Fond du Lac reveals some critical insights. Specialties such as restorative aides, medication aides, and dementia care experts often command premiums above base salaries due to their specialized training. Pay can vary significantly across different types of employers; for instance, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals may offer different compensation packages compared to home health agencies or rehabilitation centers. Career advancement pathways are also attainable for seasoned professionals, with positions such as charge CNA, training coordinator, or roles that bridge into LPN or RN certifications becoming realistic opportunities. Advanced credentials, including state CNA certification and optional medication aide qualifications, can further boost opportunities for higher pay. Additionally, non-salary compensation aspects, such as shift differentials and agency premiums during staffing shortages, can significantly drive overall earnings for experienced CNAs in the area.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Fond du Lac in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Fond du Lac?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Fond du Lac?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Fond du Lac?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Fond du Lac?
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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 $48,630 for certified nursing assistants in the Fond du Lac 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