Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $19.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Waterloo, IA runs $19.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,460 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,881 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected hourly rate of $19.94 for certified nursing assistants in Waterloo, Iowa, workers in this field can expect to earn slightly less than the national median of $21.64. This pay level is particularly relevant for part-time employees, such as those working three days a week, as well as per-diem certified nursing assistants who may rotate among various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health scenarios. For entry-level positions, there’s a starting hourly pay around $18.33, while more experienced certified nursing assistants can earn up to $23.85. These figures, drawn from official BLS data, illustrate the range of pay that reflects the demand for certified nursing assistants in the region.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.33 | $146.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.79 | $150.29 |
| Median (P50) | $19.94 | $159.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.32 | $186.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.85 | $190.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $19.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.94/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $41,469 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,924. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $797.47 | $3,456 | $41,469 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $478.48 | $2,073 | $24,881 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $318.99 | $1,382 | $16,587 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Waterloo) | $19.94 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $41,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.88% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.70% below the Iowa state average of $41,753.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.94/hr = $24,881/year (purchasing power: $28,580).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,469/year (purchasing power: $47,634).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Waterloo grew 32.0% from $14.18/hr (2019) to $18.72/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.23/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Part-time certified nursing assistants working 24 hours each week could realistically earn around $24,834 annually, which contrasts with the full-time benchmark. Per diem roles in Waterloo present unique opportunities, as agency CNAs frequently bill an hourly rate between $22 and $32, with weekend-only positions commanding premiums of $30 to $45 when the market is tight. The pay varies significantly by employer type; skilled nursing facilities may offer different rates compared to hospitals or home health agencies. Many certified nursing assistants find themselves weighing the benefits of regular employment, which may include health insurance, against the higher hourly rates available without benefits. For those in the waterloo area negotiating pay, demonstrating certifications or experience can lead to better offers, particularly in high-demand settings like ICUs or rehabilitation hospitals.
More salary data for Waterloo, 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 Waterloo. 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