Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Gardner, KS: $18.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Gardner, KS runs $18.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,937 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Gardner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,768 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gardner, Kansas, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $18.24 in 2026, which falls short of the national average of $21.64. This pay scale is indicative of what workers in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health care, and assisted living communities, can expect. For part-time shifts, typically three days a week, this rate translates to a reliable income while allowing for flexibility. Entering this field, a certified nursing assistant can earn between $16.01 and $21.70 per hour, depending on experience and specific employment settings. However, this hourly pay reflects the broader trend across the region, influenced by the cost of living in Gardner and the local demand for healthcare staff.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.01 | $128.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.75 | $134.02 |
| Median (P50) | $18.24 | $145.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.22 | $161.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.70 | $173.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gardner
Based on $18.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.24/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gardner, KS can expect to earn approximately $37,946 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,892. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gardner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gardner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $729.74 | $3,162 | $37,946 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $437.84 | $1,897 | $22,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $291.90 | $1,265 | $15,179 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Gardner) | $18.24 |
| 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 Gardner, KS earn a median of $37,937 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $40,925.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.24/hr = $22,768/year (purchasing power: $25,047).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,946/year (purchasing power: $41,745).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $12.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Gardner grew 42.5% from $12.02/hr (2019) to $17.13/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.43/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 Gardner 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 Gardner
Examining the financial outlook for a part-time certified nursing assistant in Gardner illuminates varying income potentials. Working just 24 hours weekly, one could earn around $24,000 annually, contrasting sharply with the earnings of a full-time assistant. For those seeking increased earnings, per diem work presents opportunities where rates can range from $22 to $32 per hour. Additionally, weekend-only contracts can command premiums of up to $45 per hour in high-demand scenarios. The type of employer influences pay rates significantly in Gardner; skills nursing facilities and hospitals generally offer different financial incentives compared to home health agencies and hospice services. Some CNAs may choose positions with lower hourly pay but including health benefits, revealing a trade-off between income and job security. For anyone negotiating pay, emphasizing relevant experience and flexibility in scheduling can enhance earning potential in this competitive environment, particularly as hiring challenges persist in the aftermath of the pandemic.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 Gardner. 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 Gardner 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