How Much Does a CNA Make in Michigan in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Michigan, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Michigan · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Michigan earns about $19.03 per hour ($39,570 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 6% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year), and lower pay in Michigan tends to track the state's lower living costs. Michigan ranks 29th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. for CNA pay, with 43,290 CNAs working across the state.
How much does a CNA make in Michigan?
CNA pay by career stage in Michigan
| Career stage | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $36,830$17.71 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $38,160$18.35 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $39,570$19.03 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,910$21.59 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,740$22.47 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Michigan
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Michigan · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Michigan CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $27,820 in 2015 to $39,570 in 2025, a rise of 42% and $11,750. That trailed the national CNA pay increase of 64% over the same ten years, but the direction in Michigan has been consistent: pay rose every single year since 2015. For someone starting as a CNA in Michigan now, the record shows a field where pay has moved steadily upward, not one that has stalled or slipped backward.
CNA salary by city in Michigan
CNA pay varies by metro area within Michigan. Battle Creek pays the most, with typical pay of $45,470 a year ($21.86 an hour), followed by Ann Arbor at $44,570. Bay City sits at the bottom of the list at $38,260, a $7,210 gap from Battle Creek. These figures cover each city's full metro area. As in most places, geography and cost of living play a role: a CNA in a higher-cost metro tends to see a higher paycheck than one in a smaller, lower-cost town.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Michigan | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battle Creek | $45,470 | $21.86 | +15% | 690 |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $44,570 | $21.43 | +13% | 3,430 |
| 3 | Traverse City | $41,900 | $20.14 | +6% | 700 |
| 4 | Niles | $41,070 | $19.74 | +4% | 590 |
| 5 | Jackson | $40,080 | $19.27 | +1% | 690 |
| 6 | Detroit | $39,900 | $19.18 | +1% | 17,300 |
| 7 | Kalamazoo metro incl. Portage | $39,500 | $18.99 | 0% | 1,260 |
| 8 | Saginaw | $39,400 | $18.94 | 0% | 1,100 |
| 9 | Midland | $39,340 | $18.91 | -1% | 600 |
| 10 | Flint | $39,190 | $18.84 | -1% | 1,460 |
| 11 | Muskegon metro incl. Norton Shores | $38,760 | $18.64 | -2% | 670 |
| 12 | Lansing metro incl. East Lansing | $38,550 | $18.53 | -3% | 1,650 |
| 13 | Mishawaka | $38,550 | $18.54 | -3% | 1,520 |
| 14 | Monroe | $38,420 | $18.47 | -3% | 430 |
| 15 | Grand Rapids | $38,340 | $18.43 | -3% | 5,870 |
| 16 | Bay City | $38,260 | $18.39 | -3% | 490 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Michigan typical pay $39,570
How Michigan compares with nearby states
Among Michigan's neighbors, Wisconsin pays CNAs noticeably more, with typical pay of $45,130 a year, about 14% above Michigan's figure. Indiana pays a bit less, at $38,330, roughly 3% below Michigan, and Ohio sits close to Michigan's own number at $39,010. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $39,570 | baseline |
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | +14% |
| Ohio | $39,010 | -1% |
| Indiana | $38,330 | -3% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Michigan a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Michigan sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $39,570 a year, 6% below the national figure, ranking 29th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Michigan, about 9.8 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, Michigan ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 42% over the past decade.
Summary
Michigan CNAs typically earn $39,570 a year ($19.03 an hour) as of the latest data, up 42% over the past decade. For certification requirements, check Michigan's state registry page; for local figures, see the city pages for places like Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, and Detroit.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Michigan?
- A CNA in Michigan typically earns **$19.03 an hour**, or about **$39,570 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level positions typically start around $36,830 a year, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $46,740.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Michigan?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in Michigan is **$19.03**. Entry-level positions typically start around $17.71 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $22.47 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Michigan?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Michigan typically offer around **$17.71 an hour**, or about **$36,830 a year**. As CNAs gain experience, pay tends to rise toward the state's typical rate of $19.03 an hour and beyond.
- Which city in Michigan pays CNAs the most?
- Battle Creek pays CNAs the most in Michigan, with typical pay of **$45,470 a year** ($21.86 an hour). Ann Arbor follows at $44,570 a year. Both figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center.
- Is CNA pay in Michigan higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in Michigan runs about 6% below the national figure. Typical Michigan pay is **$19.03 an hour** ($39,570 a year), compared with $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year) nationally.