Entry-Level Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $39,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:New certified nursing assistants entering the Great Falls, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,320 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Great Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 96.8 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,601 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($41,886) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates aiming for positions as certified nursing assistants in Great Falls, Montana, can expect a starting salary around $39,320. While this figure represents the entry-level market for CNAs, it falls slightly short of the city's overall median salary of $41,886, indicating that early-career professionals may need time to reach higher income levels. However, the salary growth from the entry-level position is promising, with projections suggesting an increase towards the median as CNAs gain experience and hone their skills. Overall, the current market in Great Falls presents a moderately favorable landscape for new nursing assistants, especially given the expected 6.50% growth rate in the profession, which could offer more opportunities and better compensation over the coming years.
Career Earnings Timeline in Great Falls
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 Great Falls
Entry-level certified nursing assistants in Great Falls, MT typically start between $39,320 and $41,886 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $11,289 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $41,886 — 6.93% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Montana of $1,500 represents just 3.81% of the starting certified nursing assistant pay ($39,320/year) in Great Falls. 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 Great Falls
- 1Research the Great Falls market: entry-level certified nursing assistant pay ranges from $39,320 to $41,886, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Great Falls's moderate 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 Great Falls is $11,289 ( 28.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,320, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,609.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,610
2025 BLS Actual
$36,920
2026 Current Est.
$39,320
2019–2027 Growth
+85.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,876 | Projected |
Entry-level certified nursing assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Great Falls, MT grew 63.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,610 in 2019 to $36,920 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,876. New graduates entering the Great Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Employers in Great Falls that actively hire new certified nursing assistants typically include skilled nursing facilities which often have paid training programs. While larger hospital systems may prefer candidates with experience, they also offer apprenticeship programs that can help graduates transition into full-time positions. For those considering a career in home health care, flexibility in scheduling is a vital asset as demand for CNAs in this area continues to grow. To enhance starting pay, new hires should focus on obtaining state certification, which entails completing a minimum of 75 hours of training, as well as seeking additional certifications in areas like CPR/BLS, dementia care, or hospice assistance. As the CNA workforce in Montana has been impacted by turnover from the COVID-19 pandemic, many facilities are now offering competitive wages that reflect the need for staffing solutions. Entry-level CNAs can realistically expect gradual salary increases during their first three years, particularly as they consider pathways to bridge into LPN or RN positions, further enhancing their career prospects and earnings potential.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 Great Falls. 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