Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Austin, MN: $37,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Austin, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,301 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Austin's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,869 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,769) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the workforce as certified nursing assistants in Austin, Minnesota in 2026 can expect a starting salary of around $37,301, a figure which positions them below the city’s median annual salary of $46,769. This initial pay may seem modest, but new CNAs have the potential to see gradual salary increases as they gain experience, moving towards the $40,608 mark in the early stages of their careers. With a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%, the path is promising for new graduates, particularly in a market that has experienced heightened demand for CNAs since the pandemic. In Austin, the job landscape appears conducive to those beginning their careers in health care, given the increasing need for skilled workers in various settings.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Austin
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Austin, MN typically start between $37,301 and $40,608 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $17,451 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,769 — 3.91% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Minnesota of $2,200 represents just 5.90% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($37,301/year) in Austin. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Austin
- 1Research the Austin market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $37,301 to $40,608, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Austin, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Austin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Austin's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Austin is $17,451 ( 46.78%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,301, experienced hygienists can earn up to $54,752.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,661
2025 BLS Actual
$35,024
2026 Current Est.
$37,301
2019–2027 Growth
+75.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,661 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,979 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,374 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,024 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,725 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Austin, MN grew 54.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,661 in 2019 to $35,024 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,725. New graduates entering the Austin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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.
Starting Your nursing Career in Austin
In Austin, employers seeking new graduate CNAs frequently include skilled nursing facilities, which tend to offer paid training programs. While hospitals usually prioritize candidates with prior experience, they are now establishing apprenticeship pipelines to cultivate talent among new hires, thus allowing them to build essential skills. Flexible candidates may also find opportunities with home health agencies, which are increasingly looking for responsive staffing solutions. To boost their starting pay in Minnesota, new CNAs should consider obtaining state certification, which requires laying down a minimum of 75 hours of training and passing a state exam. Additional credentials such as CPR/BLS certification, and specialized training for medication administration and dementia care can further enhance earning potential. As the industry rebounds from recent workforce challenges, new CNAs should aim to transition into LPN or RN roles to secure better salaries over the first few years, with reasonable expectations for growth in pay and responsibilities.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Austin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Austin 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