CNA Home Care in Columbus, MN: Nursing Assistants

Local figures

Nursing Assistants in Columbus, MN: the local picture

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

495

certified beds in the 6 nearest nursing homes

$18.45

median hourly wage of home care aides in Minnesota (BLS, May 2025)

$11.41

Minnesota minimum wage per hour

The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Columbus are Birchwood Health Care Center in Forest Lake (6.5 mi), Meadows On Fairview in Wyoming (7.0 mi), Waverly Gardens in North Oaks (9.4 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.

Aides in Minnesota earn a median $18.45 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Columbus has about 15 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.

Columbus compared with Washington County and Minnesota

Census figure	Columbus	Washington County	Minnesota
Residents 85 or older	0.4%	1.8%	2.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	18%	27%	28%
Residents 65 or older	20%	17%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	15%	26%	30%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	4.4%	6.7%	8.8%
Households with no vehicle	0.5%	3.8%	6.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$79,563	$75,658	—

Older residents in towns around Columbus

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Ham Lake, MN	4.2 mi	3,104	74
Centerville, MN	6.6 mi	603	9
Forest Lake, MN	6.9 mi	3,501	481
Lino Lakes, MN	6.9 mi	3,389	167
Blaine, MN	7.5 mi	9,973	583
Circle Pines, MN	7.9 mi	875	36

Nursing homes near Columbus

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Birchwood Health Care Center	Forest Lake, MN	6.5 mi	2 of 5	100	(651) 464-5600
Meadows On Fairview	Wyoming, MN	7.0 mi	4 of 5	14	(651) 466-1300
Waverly Gardens	North Oaks, MN	9.4 mi	3 of 5	60	(651) 765-4063
Park River Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center Ll	Coon Rapids, MN	12 mi	2 of 5	98	(763) 757-2320
Cerenity Care Center White Bear Lake	White Bear Lake, MN	13 mi	4 of 5	132	(651) 232-1818
Parmly On The Lake LLC	Chisago City, MN	13 mi	2 of 5	91	(651) 257-0575

Straight-line miles from the center of Columbus. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a nursing assistant can help with

Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
Help with eating and fluids
Taking and noting vital signs if asked

Cost

What CNAs costs in Columbus

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $6,630 monthly median income of Columbus households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a nursing assistant

To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.

Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Nursing Assistants in Columbus: common questions

What nursing homes are near Columbus?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Birchwood Health Care Center in Forest Lake (6.5 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Meadows On Fairview in Wyoming (7.0 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Waverly Gardens in North Oaks (9.4 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does CNAs cost in Columbus?

At the Minnesota median aide wage of $18.45 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,599 a month in wages, which is 24% of the $6,630 monthly median income of Columbus households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Minnesota's minimum wage is $11.41 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Can a CNA give medication?

Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.

More near Columbus

More senior care near Columbus

Nursing Assistants in nearby cities

Other care in Columbus

More for Columbus families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Columbus, MN