Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $19.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Burlington, IA runs $19.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burlington, IA, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $19.29 by 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $21.64. This rate highlights the possible earning potential for those working part-time or as per diem CNAs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice environments. With an hourly range starting at $16.35 for entry-level positions and going up to $22.41 for the more experienced workforce, CNAs can experience a diverse earning spectrum based on their skills and employer type. The projected hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates and serve as a foundation for what one can expect when entering this vital healthcare role.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.35 | $130.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.36 | $138.88 |
| Median (P50) | $19.29 | $154.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.04 | $168.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.41 | $179.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $19.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.29/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $40,117 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,145. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $771.49 | $3,343 | $40,117 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $462.89 | $2,006 | $24,070 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $308.59 | $1,337 | $16,047 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Burlington) | $19.29 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington, IA earn a median of $40,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.89% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $41,778.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.29/hr = $24,070/year (purchasing power: $26,627).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,117/year (purchasing power: $44,378).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Burlington grew 42.5% from $12.71/hr (2019) to $18.11/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Burlington
The potential earnings for a certified nursing assistant working part-time, specifically three days a week, would sum up to around $26,187 annually, significantly less than the earnings of their full-time counterparts. For those in the per diem sector, pay scales often range from $22 to $32 per hour, depending on the urgency of staffing needs. Weekend shifts can command higher premiums, with rates sometimes hitting $30 to $45 per hour in areas facing workforce shortages. In Burlington, various employer types offer different pay scales: skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates, while hospitals, especially in critical care units, might provide more competitive compensation. Trade-offs often occur, where CNAs accepting lower pay gain health insurance benefits compared to higher hourly wages without benefits. When negotiating hourly pay in Burlington, emphasizing your shift flexibility and willingness to work weekends or holidays can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Burlington, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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