Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $20.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Iowa City, IA runs $20.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,134 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $20.14 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $21.64. This pay rate reflects the compensation that CNAs can expect in varied settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies. For part-time workers, such as those who may work three days a week, this hourly rate translates to significant earnings while accommodating flexible work schedules. The hourly range is quite broad, from $17.96 for entry-level positions to $25.92 for those at the top of their earning potential, providing a range of opportunities for both new and experienced certified nursing assistants. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they help to illuminate the potential financial landscape for those pursuing this career in Iowa City.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.96 | $143.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.69 | $149.53 |
| Median (P50) | $20.14 | $161.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.91 | $191.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.92 | $207.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $20.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.14/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $41,889 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,167. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $805.57 | $3,491 | $41,889 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $483.34 | $2,094 | $25,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $322.23 | $1,396 | $16,756 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Iowa City) | $20.14 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $41,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.30% above the Iowa state average of $41,761.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.14/hr = $25,134/year (purchasing power: $27,466).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,889/year (purchasing power: $45,776).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Iowa City grew 22.8% from $15.40/hr (2019) to $18.91/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.45/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 Iowa 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Iowa City
Exploring the earning potential for certified nursing assistants reveals varied opportunities depending on work arrangements and employers. A CNA working part-time for 24 hours a week would take home a substantial income annually, but full-time positions offer significantly higher total compensation over the year. For per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Iowa City, rates can vary widely, with agency CNAs often billing between $22 and $32 per hour. Certain weekend-only contracts may yield $30 to $45, reflecting the pressing demand for such roles. The variability in hourly pay can also differ based on employer types; skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally pay differently than home health agencies or hospice care settings. Some CNAs opt for lower rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher hourly rates with fewer perks. When negotiating, it's crucial for CNAs to understand the market dynamics to maximize their earning potential within the local Iowa City environment.
More salary data for Iowa 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
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 Iowa City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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