Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wausau, WI: $39,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Wausau, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,565 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wausau's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,703 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,498) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, new graduates entering the certified nursing assistant field can expect a starting salary around $39,565 in 2026. This figure represents the bottom 10% of the pay scale and might feel discouraging when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $46,498. However, it's essential to understand that as new CNAs gain experience, they can realistically move towards the 25th percentile salary of $41,311 within their first few years. This growth trajectory, fueled by the local healthcare landscape's demand for CNAs, makes Wausau a relatively promising market for fresh entrants, especially given the recent workforce challenges in healthcare following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wausau
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 Wausau
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Wausau, WI typically start between $39,565 and $41,311 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $11,555 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,498 — 3.31% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Wisconsin of $1,800 represents just 4.55% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($39,565/year) in Wausau. 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 Wausau
- 1Research the Wausau market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $39,565 to $41,311, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wausau, 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 Wausau for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wausau's below-average 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 Wausau is $11,555 ( 29.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,565, experienced hygienists can earn up to $51,120.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,860
2025 BLS Actual
$37,150
2026 Current Est.
$39,565
2019–2027 Growth
+62.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,136 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wausau, WI grew 43.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,860 in 2019 to $37,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,136. New graduates entering the Wausau job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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 Wausau
Several employers in Wausau regularly seek to fill positions for entry-level certified nursing assistants, especially skilled nursing facilities, which are ideal for new grads due to their paid training programs. Hospitals, while generally favoring experienced candidates, are developing apprenticeship pathways that can be attractive for those just starting. For new graduates looking to boost their entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Wausau, obtaining credentials like CPR/BLS and pursuing optional certifications—such as a medication aide or dementia care—can enhance earning power. With the CNA workforce experiencing significant turnover post-COVID, salaries in the field have seen upward trends, making it feasible for new CNAs to anticipate gradual salary increases as they gain experience and potentially bridge to LPN or RN roles.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for certified nursing assistants in Wausau in 2026?
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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 Wausau. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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