Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $20.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Great Falls, MT runs $20.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,134 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For certified nursing assistants in Great Falls, MT, the projected hourly pay for 2026 stands at $20.14, which is slightly below the national median of $21.64. This rate can significantly impact part-time CNAs working three days a week, allowing them to earn a steady income while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. Per-diem certified nursing assistant pay in Great Falls can open further opportunities, especially as CNAs engage in varying clinical settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care. The hourly range for certified nursing assistants here extends from approximately $18.90 for entry-level roles to about $24.32 for those at the top of their earnings potential, reflecting differences in experience and specialized skills, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.90 | $151.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.14 | $161.11 |
| Median (P50) | $20.14 | $161.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.60 | $188.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.32 | $194.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $20.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.14/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $41,889 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,167. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $805.57 | $3,491 | $41,889 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $483.34 | $2,094 | $25,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $322.23 | $1,396 | $16,756 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Great Falls) | $20.14 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $41,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $45,007.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.14/hr = $25,134/year (purchasing power: $25,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,889/year (purchasing power: $43,254).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Great Falls grew 37.2% from $13.78/hr (2019) to $18.91/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.45/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Part-time CNAs in Great Falls earning $20.14 per hour will bring home approximately $24,934 if they work a typical schedule of 24 hours each week. This income can be appealing, especially for those balancing other commitments. On the other hand, per-diem CNAs working agency contracts may command rates between $22 and $32 per hour, with even higher premiums for weekend shifts in high-demand areas reaching $30-$45 per hour. In comparing employer types, CNAs in hospitals generally earn on the higher end of the range due to the critical nature of the work, while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower hourly rates but provide substantial benefits packages. Those accepting reduced hourly pay for guaranteed health insurance should weigh the trade-offs carefully, as negotiating for a higher wage may forgo important benefits. For CNAs looking to enhance their pay, seeking specialized skills or considering shifts at understaffed facilities may increase their overall earnings potential in a market that is seeing a 6.50% growth rate annually.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 Great Falls. 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