Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Liberal, KS: $18.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Liberal, KS runs $18.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,157 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Liberal's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,901 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, certified nursing assistants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $18.35 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $21.64. This discrepancy suggests that CNAs working in Liberal may need to consider various employment arrangements to maximize their income. For example, a part-time CNA working three days a week could realistically secure around $1,092 in gross pay per month, significantly impacting budgeting and living conditions in the region. Entry-level positions may start at approximately $16.20 per hour, while those with more experience could earn up to $22.03 an hour. The hourly pay reflects essential skills and responsibilities ranging from assisting patients in skilled nursing facilities to visiting clients in their homes, highlighting the need for effective time management and flexibility in various healthcare settings.
About the Liberal 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) | $16.20 | $129.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.99 | $135.89 |
| Median (P50) | $18.35 | $146.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.39 | $155.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.03 | $176.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberal
Based on $18.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.35/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberal, KS can expect to earn approximately $38,168 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,020. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $734.00 | $3,181 | $38,168 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $440.40 | $1,908 | $22,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $293.60 | $1,272 | $15,267 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Liberal) | $18.35 |
| 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 Liberal, KS earn a median of $38,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $40,897.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.35/hr = $22,901/year (purchasing power: $25,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,168/year (purchasing power: $41,989).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Liberal grew 42.5% from $12.09/hr (2019) to $17.23/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.54/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 Liberal 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 Liberal
Financial stability as a certified nursing assistant can differ significantly based on work arrangements in Liberal. When working part-time for 24 hours a week, a CNA might anticipate an annual gross income of about $26,471, which contrasts sharply with a full-time position where comparable wages would yield a higher financial return. Meanwhile, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Liberal can vary widely, with agency positions advertising rates from $22 to $32 per hour, offering higher compensation in shortage markets. Weekend contracts and travel roles are especially lucrative, with some positions seeing rates peaking at $30-$45 per hour. Depending on the employer type, hourly pay can differ; skilled nursing facilities may offer less than bustling hospitals or hospice care centers. CNAs must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and positions with lower rates that include health coverage. Effective negotiation is critical in defining one’s worth, and CNAs in Liberal are advised to leverage their skill set and experience to secure fair compensation.
More salary data for Liberal, 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 Liberal. 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 Liberal 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