Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Muncie, IN: $39,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Muncie, IN earns a median $39,490/year (≈ $18.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Muncie's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $44,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Muncie's certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 is projected at $39,490, which reflects a significant disparity compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range for CNAs in the area spans from $33,910 at the lower end to $48,287 at the top. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and illustrates the competitive nature of the job market for certified nursing assistants in Muncie. While the cost of living index in Muncie is currently below the national average at 88.148, local job opportunities in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals continue to influence pay variations, given the increased demand for qualified CNAs following recent workforce challenges.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,910 | $16.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,818 | $18.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,886 | $20.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,287 | $23.22 |
Median Salary Position
12.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muncie
In Muncie, IN, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,377 (2026 est.). At $39,490, the local median is 12.26% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Muncie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muncie Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Muncie median: $39,490/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muncie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $40,420 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.26% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Muncie, IN earn a median of $39,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.30% below the Indiana state average of $40,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muncie has a cost of living 11.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muncie, IN has a cost-of-living index of 88.148 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,490 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,800 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,750
2025 BLS Actual
$37,080
2026 Current Est.
$39,490
2019–2027 Growth
+57.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Muncie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muncie metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.6% from $26,750 (2019) to $37,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,307 (57.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muncie 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) | $33,910 – $37,818 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,818 – $39,490 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,490 – $41,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,886 – $48,287 |
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 Muncie
With approximately 700 certified nursing assistants employed in Muncie, the local job market remains robust, although the lower cost of living can somewhat offset earning potential. This area offers a range of employers, with skilled nursing facilities typically providing competitive wages compared to hospitals and home health agencies. Factors such as shift differentials, which can add $2-4 per hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekends, play a significant role in overall compensation. Additionally, CNAs who hold CMA certifications or those who take on weekend-only roles may have access to premium pay. Professionals looking to increase their earnings should focus on acquiring skills that lead to certifications or bridge pathways into LPN or RN roles, as these steps can enhance long-term career prospects in an evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Muncie, IN:
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 $37,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the Muncie 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