Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Racine, WI: $48,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Racine, WI earns a median $48,681/year (≈ $23.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $50,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Racine, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $48,681, notably higher than the national median of $45,007. The salary figures in Racine range from $40,406 for the lowest ten percent (P10) to $57,233 for the top ten percent (P90), reflecting a diverse pay scale influenced by the type of facility and experience level. This data is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate that CNAs can expect growth not only in salaries but also in employment opportunities as the healthcare sector continues to evolve. Given Racine's unique mix of skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, pay discrepancies can arise primarily from varying responsibilities and patient care intensity, making this a vital consideration for job seekers in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,406 | $19.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,631 | $20.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,681 | $23.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,098 | $24.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,233 | $27.52 |
Median Salary Position
8.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,827 (2026 est.). At $48,681, the local median is 8.16% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Racine median: $48,681/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,494 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | +8.16% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Racine, WI earn a median of $48,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.16% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 2.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $48,681 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,730 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,040
2025 BLS Actual
$45,710
2026 Current Est.
$48,681
2019–2027 Growth
+78.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,845 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 57.4% from $29,040 (2019) to $45,710 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,845 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,805 (78.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $40,406 – $41,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,631 – $48,681 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,681 – $50,098 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,098 – $57,233 |
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 Racine
With approximately 620 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Racine, the local job market also features a cost-of-living index of 95.961, which benefits wage earners by increasing their take-home purchasing power. In this competitive landscape, the highest-paying opportunities for CNAs often exist within hospitals, particularly on medical/surgical floors and in intensive care units, where the challenges associated with patient care typically warrant higher compensation. Factors such as shift differentials, which can add $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekend work, significantly affect earnings. Moreover, special roles like weekend-only positions and potential stipends for additional certifications can further boost salaries. To maximize earnings in Racine's marketplace, CNAs should consider pursuing extra training or certifications, such as becoming a certified medication aide (CMA), and be flexible with their work hours to take advantage of premium pay opportunities during staffing shortages.
More salary data for Racine, 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 $45,710 for certified nursing assistantsin the Racine 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