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# Minnesota Nursing-Home Wage Floor Takes Effect at $19
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-minnesota-2026-09-17-a/
- Published: 2026-09-17T14:25:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T14:25:47.000Z
- Description: Minnesota’s nursing-home wage standards took effect September 10, setting a $19 general floor and higher minimums for CNAs, medication aides and practical nurses. Another statewide increase arrives January 1.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: State News, Minnesota

Minnesota nursing homes must now pay workers at least $19 an hour under statewide standards that took effect September 10, with higher floors for three licensed or certified occupations. The [Department of Labor and Industry said](https://www.dli.mn.gov/nhwsb?ref=theamericanquorum.com) the effective date followed federal approval of a Medicaid state-plan amendment on August 11.

The [new wage schedule](https://www.dli.mn.gov/nhwsb-wages?ref=theamericanquorum.com) sets minimum hourly pay at $22.50 for certified nursing assistants, $23.50 for trained medication aides and $27 for licensed practical nurses. Other covered nursing-home workers must receive at least $19\. The standards apply across the industry rather than being tied to an individual employer’s existing pay scale.

A second increase is already scheduled for January 1, 2027\. The general floor will rise to $20.50, while minimums will reach $24 for certified nursing assistants, $25 for trained medication aides and $28.50 for licensed practical nurses. For a full-time employee working 40 hours each week, the $1.50 increase would add about $3,120 in annual gross pay before taxes, assuming 52 paid weeks.

## How the state plans to finance the standards

The wage rules are linked to Minnesota’s Medicaid payment system because nursing facilities rely heavily on public reimbursement. A [state financing law](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/256R.495?ref=theamericanquorum.com) directs the Department of Human Services to calculate facility rate adjustments from compensated hours, existing wage levels and employer costs such as payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, pensions and retirement contributions. Facilities seeking the adjustment must submit wage data and a spending plan showing how the money will be allocated.

The federal approval mattered because the rules delayed implementation until 30 days after authorization of the corresponding rate increase. The state had once identified January 1, 2026, as the earliest possible start, but the review continued into August. Minnesota’s [Department of Human Services describes](https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/news-initiatives-reports-workgroups/long-term-services-and-supports/workforce/completed.jsp?ref=theamericanquorum.com) the wage standards as part of its completed long-term-care workforce strategies.

The wage floors are separate from holiday-pay rules that have applied since January 1, 2025\. Covered nursing-home employees who work during any of 11 specified state holidays must receive at least time-and-a-half pay for hours worked from midnight to midnight.

The Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board was created by the Legislature in 2023 and includes state agency leaders along with representatives of workers and employers. It is holding public forums this month in Rochester, Brainerd and St. Paul and has opened a survey for workers, employers and community members. The remaining forum is scheduled for September 22 in St. Paul with an online participation option.

Workers should compare their first pay statement covering work performed on or after September 10 with the applicable occupational floor. Employers must account for the January increase now rather than treating the September rates as a full-year standard. Questions about coverage, posting or compliance can be directed to the Department of Labor and Industry and the standards board.