Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $18.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in St. Joseph, MO runs $18.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,234 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,941 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, MO, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $18.38, considerably lower than the national hourly median of $21.64. This disparity can impact part-time and per diem workers who may find themselves working in varied settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and assisted living communities. For those considering part-time roles, such as a 3-day workweek, this rate could provide a steady income while still leaving time for personal commitments. The hourly pay range in the area stretches from $15.40 at entry-level positions to $22.30 for top earners, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. This official data underscores the potential for earnings in St. Joseph, with various work environments offering different compensation levels.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.40 | $123.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.89 | $143.14 |
| Median (P50) | $18.38 | $147.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.33 | $162.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.30 | $178.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $18.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.38/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $38,234 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,058. With a cost-of-living index of 86.38 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $735.28 | $3,186 | $38,234 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $441.17 | $1,912 | $22,941 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $294.11 | $1,274 | $15,294 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (St. Joseph) | $18.38 |
| 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 St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $38,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $38,776.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.38/hr = $22,941/year (purchasing power: $26,557).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,234/year (purchasing power: $44,262).
CoL index: 86.382 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in St. Joseph grew 47.5% from $11.70/hr (2019) to $17.26/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.58/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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph
Examining the earning potential, a certified nursing assistant working three days a week for a total of 24 hours could expect to take home approximately $22,952 annually, a stark contrast to the financial security of full-time employees. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in St. Joseph can vary significantly, with agency CNAs billing anywhere from $22 to $32 per hour, and weekend-only premium contracts reaching as high as $30-$45 in high-demand periods. With the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic reshaping the workforce dynamics, opportunities for travel-certified nursing assistant contracts do occasionally provide substantial pay, sometimes ranging from $1,000 to $1,800 weekly, yet these remain less common than nursing travel roles. Hourly rates can also fluctuate across different employer settings, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offering distinct pay scales compared to home health agencies or hospice care providers. While some might accept lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay in exchange for the lack of benefits. When negotiating hourly rates, it’s advisable for CNAs in St. Joseph to research local averages, remain open about flexible scheduling, and consider the full benefits package offered.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph. 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