Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Sioux City, IA: $38,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,777 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,853 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($41,471) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, new graduates entering the certified nursing assistant (CNA) field should prepare for a starting salary that falls around $38,777, as of 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data. This starting amount sits below the city median of $41,471, reflecting a gap that early-career CNAs may need to navigate. Over the first few years, salaries can be expected to grow gradually, with many new CNAs reaching approximately $39,788 or higher as they gain experience. For those considering their first job, Sioux City presents a viable market, especially given the overall projected growth rate of 6.50% for this occupation, which indicates an increasing demand for CNAs in the area.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Sioux City, IA typically start between $38,777 and $39,788 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,439 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $41,471 — 7.86% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Iowa of $1,800 represents just 4.64% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($38,777/year) in Sioux City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state nurse aide registry-approved CNA training programs meeting federal CMS requirements. Tuition varies widely between free employer-sponsored programs, community college courses, and private training schools.
CNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $38,777 to $39,788, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Certified Nursing Assistant Compensation Range
The certified nursing assistant wage spread in Sioux City is $12,439 ( 32.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,777, experienced hygienists can earn up to $51,216.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,830
2025 BLS Actual
$36,410
2026 Current Est.
$38,777
2019–2027 Growth
+89.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,297 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 66.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $21,830 in 2019 to $36,410 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,297. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Sioux City
When seeking employment opportunities in Sioux City, recent graduates should focus on skilled nursing facilities, which typically offer positions with on-the-job training programs ideal for newly certified nursing assistants. Hospital systems, while more inclined to hire experienced CNAs, may provide apprenticeship pathways to support career development. Additionally, home health agencies look for candidates who can offer flexible schedules. To enhance starting pay, pursuing state certification, CPR/BLS training, and optional credentials like a medication aide certification can be beneficial. With many CNAs looking to bridge into licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) roles, early career strategies should involve gaining exposure to diverse patient care settings, particularly since the CNA workforce has faced significant turnover post-COVID. Expect salary growth during the first few years to reflect the competitive nature of the industry, particularly as facilities strive to retain qualified staff amid rising wage trends.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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