CNA Salary

Milwaukee vs Superior: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Superior, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$48,660
$23.40/hr
Superior, WI
$45,439
$21.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISuperior, WI
Median Salary$48,660$45,439
Hourly Rate$23.40$21.84
Entry Level (P10)$41,375$38,650
25th Percentile$44,655$41,092
75th Percentile$51,109$51,171
Top Earner (P90)$52,355$55,804
Total Employed7,8807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($48,660) and Superior ($45,439) certified nursing assistant salaries.MilwaukeeSuperiorMedian Salary$48,660$45,439Entry Level (P10)$41,375$38,650Top Earner (P90)$52,355$55,804US Median $45,007

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Superior.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Superior is $3,221 (7.09%). Milwaukee's median is +8.12% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $10,980,Superior spans $17,154. Superior has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$41,375
P25$44,655
Median$48,660
P75$51,109
P90 (Top)$52,355
Superior
P10 (Entry)$38,650
P25$41,092
Median$45,439
P75$51,171
P90 (Top)$55,804

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($50,198 effective) pays 3.18% more than Superior ($48,650 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $48,660
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $50,198
Superior
Nominal: $45,439
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $48,650

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,660/year)
  • Larger job market (7,880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,198)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Superior if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($55,804)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Milwaukee grew 48.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.6% growth in Superior over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+48.4%

$30,790 (2019) → $45,690 (2025)

Superior, WI

+25.6%

$33,960 (2024) → $42,666 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Milwaukee or Superior?

Milwaukee has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $48,660/year, compared to Superior at $45,439/year — a difference of $3,221 (7.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Superior?

Milwaukee certified nursing assistants earn $23.40/hr while Superior hygienists earn $21.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Superior as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Superior. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $50,198, Superior = $48,650), job availability (7,880 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Milwaukee vs Superior?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $41,375 in Milwaukee and $38,650 in Superior. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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