Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Pocatello, ID: $38,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Pocatello, ID earns a median $38,691/year (≈ $18.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Pocatello's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $43,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Pocatello, ID, can anticipate a median annual salary of $38,691, a stark contrast to the national median of $45,007. The projected salary range spans from $32,120 at the lower end to $47,968 at the higher end, reflecting the variety of environments in which CNAs work, from assisted living facilities to rehabilitation centers. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures indicate the importance of career advancement in this field. Many CNAs leverage their experience to transition to licensed practical nurse (LPN) roles, which generally offer enhanced compensation and responsibilities, further enriching the local job market in Pocatello.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,120 | $15.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,366 | $16.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,691 | $18.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,968 | $23.07 |
Median Salary Position
14.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pocatello
In Pocatello, ID, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,848 (2026 est.). At $38,691, the local median is 14.03% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Pocatello: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pocatello Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Pocatello median: $38,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pocatello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $41,293 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.03% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Pocatello, ID earn a median of $38,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.03% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.30% below the Idaho state average of $41,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pocatello has a cost of living 11.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pocatello, ID has a cost-of-living index of 88.906 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,100
2025 BLS Actual
$36,330
2026 Current Est.
$38,691
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,206 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pocatello metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 29.3% from $28,100 (2019) to $36,330 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,106 (46.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pocatello 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,120 – $33,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,366 – $38,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,691 – $40,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,140 – $47,968 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Pocatello
With approximately 300 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Pocatello, the local job market shows a slight growth projection of 6.50% annually. The cost of living index at 88.906 indicates that take-home pay goes further than in many other U.S. cities, making the certified nursing assistant salary in Pocatello more impactful in daily life. The highest-paying employers often include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly in critical areas like medical and surgical floors or ICUs. Factors contributing to the pay spectrum include shift differentials—where night shifts can add $2-4 per hour and weekend shifts usually add $1-3—as well as opportunities for premium pay through agency work during staffing shortages. Strategies to maximize earnings in this market could involve seeking additional certifications, like the certified medication aide (CMA), or opting for weekend-only roles, which are especially valued in this region.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,330 for certified nursing assistantsin the Pocatello metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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