Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $43,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earns a median $43,541/year (≈ $20.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wisconsin Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $46,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $43,541. This figure, derived from state-level BLS data and accounting for regional price parities, reflects a distinctive post-COVID wage reset that has reshaped the job market. The salaries in this area range from $37,400 at the 10th percentile to $49,422 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a competitive wage landscape for CNAs. Although this salary is slightly below the national median of $45,007, it highlights the ongoing need for skilled healthcare workers in Wisconsin Rapids as the industry seeks to stabilize after the disruptions of recent years.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,421 | $18.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,541 | $20.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,787 | $22.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,422 | $23.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wisconsin Rapids
In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,022 (2026 est.). At $43,541, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wisconsin Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Wisconsin Rapids Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wisconsin Rapids median: $43,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wisconsin Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,483 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -3.26% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $43,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wisconsin Rapids 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.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $43,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,694
2025 BLS Actual
$40,884
2026 Current Est.
$43,541
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,694 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,846 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,323 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,542 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin Rapids metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $28,694 (2019) to $40,884 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,678 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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) | $37,400 – $38,421 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,421 – $43,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,541 – $46,787 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,787 – $49,422 |
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 Wisconsin Rapids
With only five certified nursing assistants currently employed in Wisconsin Rapids, the local job market shows signs of both opportunity and challenge. The cost of living in the area, represented by a CoL index of 93.4, suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in more expensive regions, allowing CNAs to maintain a reasonable quality of life. Among common employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer higher pay scales, with additional compensation often available for shift differentials and weekend work—typically, a premium of $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends. Factors such as agency pay rates during staffing shortages and CMA certification stipends further contribute to wage variability. For those looking to optimize their certified nursing assistant pay in Wisconsin Rapids, strategically seeking weekend shifts or considering opportunities with higher acuity patient care can enhance earning potential while also paving pathways towards future roles as LPNs or RNs.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, 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 $40,884 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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