CNA Salary

Hutchinson vs Wichita: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Hutchinson, KS and Wichita, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hutchinson, KS
$40,022
$19.24/hr
Wichita, KS
$39,714
$19.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHutchinson, KSWichita, KS
Median Salary$40,022$39,714
Hourly Rate$19.24$19.10
Entry Level (P10)$34,127$33,910
25th Percentile$36,380$38,170
75th Percentile$42,886$41,716
Top Earner (P90)$49,449$47,850
Total Employed105,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hutchinson ($40,022) and Wichita ($39,714) certified nursing assistant salaries.HutchinsonWichitaMedian Salary$40,022$39,714Entry Level (P10)$34,127$33,910Top Earner (P90)$49,449$47,850US Median $45,007

Verdict

Hutchinson, KS offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wichita.

The salary gap between Hutchinson and Wichita is $308 (0.78%). Hutchinson's median is -11.08% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hutchinson spans $15,322,Wichita spans $13,940. Hutchinson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hutchinson
P10 (Entry)$34,127
P25$36,380
Median$40,022
P75$42,886
P90 (Top)$49,449
Wichita
P10 (Entry)$33,910
P25$38,170
Median$39,714
P75$41,716
P90 (Top)$47,850

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wichita ($44,650 effective) pays 1.41% more than Hutchinson ($44,029 effective).

Hutchinson
Nominal: $40,022
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $44,029
Wichita
Nominal: $39,714
CoL Index: 88.946
Adjusted: $44,650

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hutchinson if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,022/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,449)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Wichita if…

  • Larger job market (5,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,650)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Hutchinson grew 32.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 47.8% growth in Wichita over the same period.

Hutchinson, KS

+32.1%

$28,456 (2024) → $37,579 (2025)

Wichita, KS

+47.8%

$25,230 (2019) → $37,290 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Hutchinson or Wichita?

Hutchinson has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $40,022/year, compared to Wichita at $39,714/year — a difference of $308 (0.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hutchinson and Wichita?

Hutchinson certified nursing assistants earn $19.24/hr while Wichita hygienists earn $19.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hutchinson to Wichita as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hutchinson and Wichita. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hutchinson = $44,029, Wichita = $44,650), job availability (10 vs 5,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Hutchinson vs Wichita?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $34,127 in Hutchinson and $33,910 in Wichita. The Hutchinson area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov