How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 28,370 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,130 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 Wisconsin, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE PRESCRIBER, SCHOOL NURSE, NURSES AIDE. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Wisconsin is $45,130 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,900 and experienced professionals can earn $50,650 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $45,130 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE PRESCRIBER | An advanced practice nurse prescriber (APNP) is an advanced practice nurse who has been granted a certificate to independently issue prescription orders under s. 441.16(2), Wis. Stats. |
| SCHOOL NURSE | Apply for an Initial Educator pupil services license (School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse). |
| NURSES AIDE | Registration for nurse aide’s name to be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry in order to work in federally-certified nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs… |
| NURSE, MIDWIFE | Nurse-midwifery means the management of women’s health care, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care for newborns, family planning and bynecological services. |
| REGISTERED NURSE | A registered nurse is a person who practices professional nursing. Professional nursing means the performance for compensation of any act in the observation or care of the ill, injured or infirm, or f… |
| NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR | A nursing home administrator means any individual responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling the operation of a nursing home, or who in fact performs such functions, whether or no… |
| LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE | A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a person who practices practical nursing. |
| HOSPICE AIDE | Registration for nurse aide’s name to be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry in order to work in federally-certified nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs… |
| HOME HEALTH AIDE | Registration for nurse aide’s name to be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry in order to work in federally-certified nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 14,590 | $48,020 | $47,640 | $39,510 | $56,090 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 7,880 | $45,690 | $45,420 | $38,850 | $49,160 |
| Madison | 3,420 | $45,260 | $46,240 | $39,470 | $55,990 |
| Green Bay | 1,700 | $43,450 | $43,070 | $37,630 | $47,260 |
| Duluth | 1,610 | $44,250 | $43,370 | $36,180 | $48,760 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 1,250 | $43,510 | $42,720 | $37,530 | $47,220 |
| Eau Claire | 1,100 | $43,150 | $43,070 | $36,950 | $50,530 |
| Appleton | 980 | $44,760 | $43,600 | $37,260 | $49,510 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 900 | $44,590 | $43,840 | $38,370 | $48,480 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 710 | $39,730 | $41,280 | $35,290 | $46,460 |
| Kenosha | 710 | $46,220 | $45,270 | $38,510 | $50,310 |
| Wausau | 710 | $43,660 | $43,050 | $37,150 | $48,000 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 620 | $45,710 | $44,510 | $37,940 | $53,740 |
| Fond du Lac | 520 | $44,490 | $44,450 | $37,740 | $48,630 |
| Sheboygan | 520 | $47,050 | $45,280 | $38,340 | $48,990 |
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 Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 7,880 | $45,690 |
| Madison | 3,420 | $45,260 |
| Green Bay | 1,700 | $43,450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 1,250 | $43,510 |
| Eau Claire | 1,100 | $43,150 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 28,370 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Wisconsin is $45,130, which is $5,600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |