CNA Salary

Duluth vs Fridley: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Duluth, MN and Fridley, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$47,126
$22.65/hr
Fridley, MN
$46,899
$22.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNFridley, MN
Median Salary$47,126$46,899
Hourly Rate$22.65$22.55
Entry Level (P10)$38,532$39,026
25th Percentile$40,534$41,918
75th Percentile$50,630$52,337
Top Earner (P90)$51,929$56,811
Total Employed1,6105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($47,126) and Fridley ($46,899) certified nursing assistant salaries.DuluthFridleyMedian Salary$47,126$46,899Entry Level (P10)$38,532$39,026Top Earner (P90)$51,929$56,811US Median $45,007

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fridley.

The salary gap between Duluth and Fridley is $227 (0.48%). Duluth's median is +4.71% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $13,397,Fridley spans $17,785. Fridley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$38,532
P25$40,534
Median$47,126
P75$50,630
P90 (Top)$51,929
Fridley
P10 (Entry)$39,026
P25$41,918
Median$46,899
P75$52,337
P90 (Top)$56,811

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($53,089 effective) pays 11.50% more than Fridley ($47,613 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $47,126
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $53,089
Fridley
Nominal: $46,899
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $47,613

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,126/year)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,089)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Fridley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,811)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Duluth grew 30.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.8% growth in Fridley over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+30.6%

$33,880 (2019) → $44,250 (2025)

Fridley, MN

+17.8%

$37,370 (2024) → $44,037 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Duluth or Fridley?

Duluth has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $47,126/year, compared to Fridley at $46,899/year — a difference of $227 (0.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Fridley?

Duluth certified nursing assistants earn $22.65/hr while Fridley hygienists earn $22.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Fridley as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Fridley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $53,089, Fridley = $47,613), job availability (1,610 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Duluth vs Fridley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $38,532 in Duluth and $39,026 in Fridley. The Fridley area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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