How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 43,290 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,570 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Michigan
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Nurse Aide, Certified (C.N.A.), Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Michigan is $39,570 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,830 and experienced professionals can earn $46,740 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems
- Median wage (Michigan): $39,570 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Nurse Aide, Certified (C.N.A.) | To become a CNA, new candidates must first complete a Michigan approved training course. |
| Nurse Midwife | Nurses need to graduate from an approved education program and pass the NCLEX examination. To specialize, a nurse must hold an additional certification. The fee for renewing a nursing license is $123. |
| Nurse Practitioner | Nurses need to graduate from an approved education program and pass the NCLEX examination. To specialize, a nurse must hold an additional certification. The fee for renewing a nursing license is $123. |
| Nurse Anesthetist | Nurses need to graduate from an approved education program and pass the NCLEX examination. To specialize, a nurse must hold an additional certification. The fee for renewing a nursing license is $123. |
| School Nurse | Nurses need to graduate from an approved education program and pass the NCLEX examination. To specialize, a nurse must hold an additional certification. The fee for renewing a nursing license is $123. |
| Nurse, Registered (R.N.) | Nurses need to graduate from an approved education program and pass the NCLEX examination. To specialize, a nurse must hold an additional certification. The fee for renewing a nursing license is $123. |
| Nursing Home Administrator | Nursing home administrators must take an approved course of instructional training in Nursing Home Administration and pass the NHA and NSBL examinations. The fee for this license is $80. |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical (L.P.N.) | Nurses need to graduate from an approved education program and pass the NCLEX examination. To specialize, a nurse must hold an additional certification. The fee for renewing a nursing license is $123. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 17,300 | $39,900 | $41,980 | $37,900 | $47,620 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 5,870 | $38,340 | $40,300 | $36,530 | $45,230 |
| Ann Arbor | 3,430 | $44,570 | $43,110 | $36,830 | $46,620 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 1,650 | $38,550 | $40,150 | $36,650 | $46,440 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 1,520 | $38,550 | $39,800 | $34,590 | $47,220 |
| Flint | 1,460 | $39,190 | $40,710 | $33,730 | $46,980 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 1,260 | $39,500 | $42,590 | $35,640 | $51,430 |
| Saginaw | 1,100 | $39,400 | $39,900 | $34,700 | $45,990 |
| Traverse City | 700 | $41,900 | $43,080 | $38,280 | $47,470 |
| Battle Creek | 690 | $45,470 | $44,400 | $37,230 | $54,500 |
| Jackson | 690 | $40,080 | $42,010 | $38,530 | $46,000 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 670 | $38,760 | $39,960 | $37,540 | $43,900 |
| Midland | 600 | $39,340 | $40,060 | $37,520 | $45,610 |
| Niles | 590 | $41,070 | $41,710 | $37,060 | $45,790 |
| Bay City | 490 | $38,260 | $38,940 | $36,730 | $44,510 |
| Monroe | 430 | $38,420 | $40,030 | $35,580 | $44,520 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 340 | $38,400 | $40,440 | $35,710 | $47,260 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 17,300 | $39,900 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 5,870 | $38,340 |
| Ann Arbor | 3,430 | $44,570 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 1,650 | $38,550 |
| Flint | 1,460 | $39,190 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 43,290 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Michigan is $39,570, which is $40 above the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Community and Health Systems - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_63294—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |