Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $47,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Fond du Lac, WI earns a median $47,382/year (≈ $22.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Fond du Lac's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $51,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, WI, the average certified nursing assistant salary is projected to reach $47,382 by 2026, reflecting a notable adjustment in the labor market following the post-COVID wage reset. With a salary range spanning from $40,193 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $51,791 at the upper end (90th percentile), the data indicates a healthy compensation spectrum for CNAs. This information is drawn from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights Fond du Lac's competitive edge by surpassing the national median of $45,007. The ongoing growth rate of 6.50% also signifies a robust demand for certified nursing assistants in the area, especially as healthcare facilities continue recovering from previous staffing shortages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,193 | $19.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,569 | $20.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,382 | $22.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,118 | $23.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,791 | $24.90 |
Median Salary Position
5.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac
In Fond du Lac, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,598 (2026 est.). At $47,382, the local median is 5.28% above the national median of $45,007.
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How Fond du Lac Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Fond du Lac median: $47,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fond du Lac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,477 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +5.28% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $47,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.28% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fond du Lac has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fond du Lac, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.643 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $47,382 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,703 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,560
2025 BLS Actual
$44,490
2026 Current Est.
$47,382
2019–2027 Growth
+65.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 45.6% from $30,560 (2019) to $44,490 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,902 (65.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,193 – $43,569 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,569 – $47,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,382 – $49,118 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,118 – $51,791 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Fond du Lac
Currently, Fond du Lac employs approximately 520 certified nursing assistants, a workforce crucial for supporting local healthcare systems. The cost of living here, reflected in a CoL index of 91.643, suggests that salaries can stretch further than they might in higher-priced areas, enhancing taking-home pay for CNAs. Among the various employers in the region, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the most competitive wages. Factors influencing the range of pay include shift differentials—often an additional $2 to $4 per hour for nights and weekends, as well as agency premium rates during staffing shortages. To maximize pay, CNAs in Fond du Lac should consider taking on weekend-only roles or pursuing further certifications, such as a CMA, which often come with additional stipends. Engaging in continuous education and exploring bridge pathways to LPN or RN status can enhance both job prospects and earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $44,490 for certified nursing assistantsin the Fond du Lac metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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