Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $23.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Madison, WI runs $23.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,922 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $23.17 in 2026, presenting a competitive edge over the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This translates to significant earning potential for those working part-time, such as those committing three days a week, or for per diem certified nursing assistants, who may find themselves employed in diverse environments like skilled nursing facility resident rooms, hospital medical/surgical floors, and home health settings. Entry-level positions in this line of work can expect hourly rates starting at around $20.21, while top earners can make as much as $28.67 per hour, creating appealing opportunities for growth and advancement in this essential role within the healthcare sector.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.21 | $161.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.60 | $164.78 |
| Median (P50) | $23.17 | $185.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.27 | $194.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.67 | $229.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $23.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.17/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $48,203 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,809. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $926.98 | $4,017 | $48,203 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.19 | $2,410 | $28,922 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.79 | $1,607 | $19,281 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Madison) | $23.17 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Madison, WI earn a median of $48,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 1.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,490.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.17/hr = $28,922/year (purchasing power: $29,728).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,203/year (purchasing power: $49,547).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Madison grew 33.7% from $16.28/hr (2019) to $21.76/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.68/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Madison
For part-time certified nursing assistants working 24 hours a week, the annual earnings can amount to roughly $29,450, which is a comfortable living depending on personal circumstances. On the other hand, those engaged in per diem or agency roles often experience varying pay, with agencies typically charging between $22 and $32 per hour, while premium weekend contracts can range from $30 to $45 per hour. This flexibility can be highly attractive, especially in a post-COVID market where travel contracts occasionally yield up to $1,800 weekly, albeit those opportunities are less common. Notably, the type of employer—as well as specific locations across Madison such as hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living communities—can lead to differing rates. Additionally, certified nursing assistants may need to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus more modest pay that includes health insurance. When negotiating, it’s advisable to highlight skills acquired, such as certification or relevant training, and to be aware of the broader market trends in Madison to secure the most favorable hourly rate.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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