Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $18.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $18.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,032 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,419 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $18.77 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $21.64 per hour. This rate is indicative of what CNAs can expect in various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health visits, and assisted living environments. The hourly wages range from $15.68 for entry-level positions up to $22.25 for top earners, reflecting a spectrum of experience and responsibilities. For part-time workers, such as those committing to three days a week, this equates to a steady income while allowing for flexibility in scheduling, making it suitable for those seeking supplemental income or balancing other commitments. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offering an official perspective on the earnings landscape for certified nursing assistants in the region.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.68 | $125.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.75 | $142.03 |
| Median (P50) | $18.77 | $150.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.75 | $157.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.25 | $177.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $18.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.77/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $39,032 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,518. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $750.61 | $3,253 | $39,032 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $450.37 | $1,952 | $23,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $300.24 | $1,301 | $15,613 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Cape Girardeau) | $18.77 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $39,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.28% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.60% above the Missouri state average of $38,799.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.77/hr = $23,419/year (purchasing power: $27,207).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,032/year (purchasing power: $45,345).
CoL index: 86.078 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+76.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Cape Girardeau grew 55.2% from $11.35/hr (2019) to $17.62/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.99/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 Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
Examining the financial prospects for part-time certified nursing assistants working in Cape Girardeau highlights achievable variances in take-home pay. A typical 24-hour workweek at $18.77 per hour translates to an annual income significantly different from that of full-time employees, allowing for a better work-life balance while still providing essential support in healthcare settings. For those in more flexible per diem or agency roles, compensation can reach $22 to $32 per hour, with weekend contracts offering premiums that may hit $30 to $45 due to demand-influenced shortages. Furthermore, hourly rates can fluctuate among employer types, where skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often provide different pay structures compared to home health agencies or hospice care. The trade-off for accepting lower hourly rates may include valuable benefits like health insurance, enticing some CNAs to prioritize steady employment over higher rates with fewer perks. Effective negotiation strategies in Cape Girardeau often involve being informed about local wage trends and discussing shift differentials or weekend premiums to maximize compensation.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Cape Girardeau in 2026?
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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 Cape Girardeau. 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