Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Oak Creek, WI: $45,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Oak Creek, WI earns a median $45,510/year (≈ $21.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Oak Creek's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $48,726 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Creek, the projected median annual certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 is $45,510, positioning the local compensation slightly above the national median of $45,007. With a salary range from $38,825 to $56,024, the figures reveal a market that has noticeably adjusted following the post-COVID wage reset. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost estimates, indicate that Oak Creek's certified nursing assistant pay is competitive and reflects the upward trend in healthcare wages driven by demand for skilled workers in a recovering economy. This adjustment is especially significant given the recent challenges faced by the industry, allowing professionals to benefit from improved job stability and compensation.
About the Oak Creek Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,825 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,332 | $24.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,024 | $26.93 |
Median Salary Position
1.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Creek
In Oak Creek, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,199 (2026 est.). At $45,510, the local median is 1.12% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Creek Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Creek median: $45,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,505 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +1.12% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Oak Creek, WI earn a median of $45,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.12% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 4.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,505.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Creek has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Creek, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $45,510 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,726 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,991
2025 BLS Actual
$42,732
2026 Current Est.
$45,510
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Oak Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,991 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,649 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,627 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,468 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Creek metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $29,991 (2019) to $42,732 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,477 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Creek 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) | $38,825 – $41,240 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,240 – $45,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,510 – $51,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,332 – $56,024 |
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 Oak Creek
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Oak Creek, WI, includes a relatively small workforce, with only five certified nursing assistants employed locally. However, the cost-of-living index of 93.4 suggests that the take-home purchasing power for these positions is enhanced, making the offered salaries more attractive. Among various sectors, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically provide higher pay rates, with additional earnings potential through shift differentials and weekend premiums. Shift differentials can increase hourly wages by $2 to $4 for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends, creating lucrative opportunities. The pay disparity can also result from demand during staffing shortages, agency premiums, and specialized roles. For those exploring how to maximize certified nursing assistant pay in Oak Creek, pursuing weekend-only shifts, obtaining a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) certification, or aiming for positions in higher acuity settings can significantly enhance earnings potential.
More salary data for Oak Creek, 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 $42,732 for certified nursing assistantsin the Oak Creek 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
Salary data for Oak Creek 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