Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $19.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Topeka, KS runs $19.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,748 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, certified nursing assistants earn a median hourly rate of $19.83, which is slightly below the national median of $21.64. This competitive hourly wage is significant for those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, or for per-diem positions in healthcare facilities. Such settings include skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, assisted living centers, and hospice environments, allowing flexibility in work hours. The typical hourly range for certified nursing assistants in Topeka extends from $17.96 for entry-level positions to $23.77 for those in more experienced roles. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable insight into the local job market and the opportunities that exist within it.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.96 | $143.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.48 | $155.83 |
| Median (P50) | $19.83 | $158.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.39 | $187.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.77 | $190.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $19.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.83/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $41,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,796. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $793.21 | $3,437 | $41,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $475.93 | $2,062 | $24,748 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $317.28 | $1,375 | $16,499 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Topeka) | $19.83 |
| 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 Topeka, KS earn a median of $41,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.38% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% above the Kansas state average of $40,910.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.83/hr = $24,748/year (purchasing power: $27,863).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,247/year (purchasing power: $46,439).
CoL index: 88.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Topeka grew 37.5% from $13.54/hr (2019) to $18.62/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.12/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 Topeka 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 Topeka
For certified nursing assistants working part-time in Topeka, opting for a 3-day workweek can yield a take-home income that varies significantly from full-time earnings. Over the course of a year, part-time CNAs working 24 hours a week might expect to earn approximately $24,203, translating to a manageable yet limited budget compared to full-time salaries. Many CNAs find appeal in per-diem work as well, where agency roles can report pay rates between $22 and $32 per hour, while weekend-only positions may command $30 to $45. Notably, as the workforce adapts after COVID-19, traditional roles like travel nursing are becoming scarce. Hourly pay structures can greatly differ by employer, with hospitals generally offering higher wages compared to nursing homes. Some CNAs may choose higher hourly rates with less job security over stable employment with benefits, making negotiation skills critical. Those in Topeka should also consider who they work for and ask about potential benefits when assessing overall compensation.
More salary data for Topeka, 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 Topeka. 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