How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Wisconsin employs about 28,370 certified nursing assistants earning a median $45,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Certified Nursing Assistant here means completing state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry, then applying through the Wisconsin nurse aide registry.

Compare Certified Nursing Assistant Schools in Wisconsin

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
167.6$5,040 in-state / $7,283 out-of-state$55,85765%Yes*In-state
266.9$4,819 in-state / $7,084 out-of-state$53,77158%Yes*In-state
365.2$4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state$50,75766%Yes*In-state
463.9$4,844 in-state / $7,087 out-of-state$50,98550%Yes*In-state
562.5$4,960 in-state / $7,233 out-of-state$54,88751%Yes*In-state
659.1$4,977 in-state / $7,255 out-of-state$55,20729%Yes*In-state
757.8$4,889 in-state / $7,132 out-of-state$50,86945%Yes*In-state
856.9$5,002 in-state / $7,171 out-of-state$53,82752%Yes*In-state
956.0$4,956 in-state / $7,199 out-of-state$54,14251%Yes*In-state
1055.6$4,793 in-state / $7,066 out-of-state$46,85744%Yes*In-state

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

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.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: state-approved CNA / nurse aide training (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry
  • Exam: state nurse aide competency exam (written or oral plus skills)
  • Median wage (Wisconsin): $45,130 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin

How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin? Complete state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry. Apply through the Wisconsin nurse aide registry.

How long does it take? Most people finish state-approved CNA training of typically several weeks, the state competency exam, and listing on the nurse aide registry. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and the Wisconsin nurse aide registry.

Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin lists certified nursing assistants on a state nurse aide registry after approved training and a competency exam. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wisconsin

  1. Meet program entry rules. Most Wisconsin CNA programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age, immunization, TB, and background-check rules with the training program.
  2. Complete state-approved CNA training. Finish a state-approved nurse aide training program in Wisconsin. Training is typically several weeks of classroom work plus supervised clinical practice at a community college, vocational school, or nursing facility. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Pass the competency exam. Pass the Wisconsin nurse aide competency exam: a written or oral knowledge test and a skills demonstration. The exam vendor is chosen by the state; confirm current scheduling with the Wisconsin nurse aide registry.
  4. Get listed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry. Apply through the Wisconsin nurse aide registry. You cannot work as a CNA in a nursing home until that listing is current. Renewal and in-service rules are state-specific; confirm them with the registry.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Wisconsin

Wisconsin lists certified nursing assistants on a state nurse aide registry after a state-approved training program and a competency exam.

Typical CNA path

  1. Meet the training program’s entry rules.
  2. Complete state-approved CNA training (typically several weeks).
  3. Pass the written or oral exam and the skills demonstration.
  4. Get listed on the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry before working as a CNA in a nursing home.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change and vary by state. Confirm current requirements with the Wisconsin nurse aide registry before you enroll. Do not apply to the board of nursing for a CNA listing unless that board also runs the nurse aide registry.

Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), nursing assistants wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington14,590$48,020$47,640$39,510$56,090
Milwaukee-Waukesha7,880$45,690$45,420$38,850$49,160
Madison3,420$45,260$46,240$39,470$55,990
Green Bay1,700$43,450$43,070$37,630$47,260
Duluth1,610$44,250$43,370$36,180$48,760
La Crosse-Onalaska1,250$43,510$42,720$37,530$47,220
Eau Claire1,100$43,150$43,070$36,950$50,530
Appleton980$44,760$43,600$37,260$49,510
Oshkosh-Neenah900$44,590$43,840$38,370$48,480
Janesville-Beloit710$39,730$41,280$35,290$46,460
Kenosha710$46,220$45,270$38,510$50,310
Wausau710$43,660$43,050$37,150$48,000
Racine-Mount Pleasant620$45,710$44,510$37,940$53,740
Fond du Lac520$44,490$44,450$37,740$48,630
Sheboygan520$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 .

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.

What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Wisconsin

Top local programs

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)