How Much Does a CNA Make in Minnesota in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Minnesota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Minnesota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Minnesota earns about $22.44 per hour ($46,680 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 10% higher than the national typical pay of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). Minnesota ranks 12th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for CNA pay, with about 29,120 CNAs working across the state.
How much does a CNA make in Minnesota?
CNA pay by career stage in Minnesota
| Career stage | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $38,010$18.27 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $40,340$19.39 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $46,680$22.44 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $49,330$23.72 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $55,410$26.64 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 Minnesota
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Minnesota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, the typical CNA salary in Minnesota was $27,850 a year. By 2025, that had climbed to $46,680, a 68% rise over the decade. The national figure rose 64% over the same stretch, so Minnesota's gains have kept slightly ahead of the country as a whole.
For someone starting a CNA career in Minnesota now, pay has moved steadily upward over the past ten years, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Minnesota
Pay runs highest in the Minneapolis metro area, where CNAs earn $48,020 a year ($23.09 an hour), a figure covering the full metro area around the city. Rochester and Mankato follow closely, both paying above $46,000 a year.
St. Cloud sits at the lower end of the state's range, at $40,130 a year, a $7,890 gap between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas in Minnesota. That kind of spread often tracks local living costs as much as anything else.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Minnesota | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $48,020 | $23.09 | +3% | 14,590 |
| 2 | Rochester | $46,840 | $22.52 | 0% | 1,550 |
| 3 | Mankato | $46,430 | $22.32 | -1% | 930 |
| 4 | Duluth | $44,250 | $21.27 | -5% | 1,610 |
| 5 | Onalaska | $43,510 | $20.92 | -7% | 1,250 |
| 6 | St. Cloud | $40,130 | $19.29 | -14% | 1,580 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Minnesota typical pay $46,680
How Minnesota compares with nearby states
Minnesota pays CNAs more than any of its neighboring states. North Dakota comes closest, at $45,820 a year, about 2% behind. Wisconsin trails by 3%, while Iowa and South Dakota fall further back, 16% and 17% below Minnesota's figure. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it helps to know where pay stands just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $46,680 | baseline |
| North Dakota | $45,820 | -2% |
| Wisconsin | $45,130 | -3% |
| Iowa | $39,350 | -16% |
| South Dakota | $38,800 | -17% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Minnesota a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Minnesota earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $46,680 a year, 10% above the national figure, ranking 11th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Minnesota, about 9.9 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Taken together, Minnesota is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
Minnesota CNAs earn a typical $46,680 a year ($22.44 an hour), up 68% since 2015 and above the national figure. For details on certification requirements, check Minnesota's state registry page; for local pay figures, see the city pages for Minneapolis, Rochester, and other Minnesota metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Minnesota?
- CNAs in Minnesota earn a typical $22.44 an hour, or about $46,680 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay varies by city and experience, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced CNAs earning more.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Minnesota?
- The typical hourly pay for a CNA in Minnesota is $22.44, according to May 2025 wage data. Entry-level positions typically offer around $18.27 to $19.39 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $23.72 to $26.64 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Minnesota?
- Entry-level CNAs in Minnesota typically start around **$18.27 an hour**, or about $38,010 a year. Those with more experience often move into the $19.39 to $22.44 hourly range as they gain time on the job.
- Which city in Minnesota pays CNAs the most?
- The Minneapolis metro area pays CNAs the most in Minnesota, at **$48,020 a year** ($23.09 an hour). Rochester and Mankato also pay above the state's typical rate, while St. Cloud sits at the lower end, near $40,130 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Minnesota higher than the national rate?
- Yes. Minnesota's typical CNA pay of $46,680 a year runs about **10% above** the national figure of $42,260. Minnesota ranks 12th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for CNA wages.