Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Burlington, IA: $40,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Burlington, IA earns a median $40,107/year (≈ $19.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $44,366 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, IA, the certified nursing assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $40,107 in 2026. This figure reflects a notable local wage structure influenced by the choice between skilled nursing facilities and hospital settings, where pay can differ significantly based on care level and facility type. The salary range for certified nursing assistants in this area spans from $34,008 at the 10th percentile to $46,604 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse pay landscape depending on experience, role, and workplace. These local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, highlighting the specific economic context of Burlington's job market, which is characterized by a small pool of employment opportunities for certified nursing assistants.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,008 | $16.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,101 | $17.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,107 | $19.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,764 | $21.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,604 | $22.41 |
Median Salary Position
10.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,596 (2026 est.). At $40,107, the local median is 10.89% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Burlington median: $40,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $41,778 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.89% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington, IA earn a median of $40,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.89% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $41,778.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,107 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,366 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,431
2025 BLS Actual
$37,659
2026 Current Est.
$40,107
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,431 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,491 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,867 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,248 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,659 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,431 (2019) to $37,659 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,283 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $34,008 – $36,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,101 – $40,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,107 – $43,764 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,764 – $46,604 |
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 Burlington
The local job market for certified nursing assistants is relatively tight, with only four positions currently filled in Burlington, which suggests limited competition but also limited openings. The area's cost of living index, standing at 90.4, indicates that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of certified nursing assistant pay in Burlington, IA. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer higher compensation compared to home health agencies and assisted living communities. The variation from low to high pay is often driven by factors such as shift differentials—nights typically carry an additional $2 to $4 per hour—and weekend premiums ranging from $1 to $3. Candidates can maximize their earning potential by seeking roles in higher acuity settings, capitalizing on specialty certifications, and considering weekend-only or overnight shifts that provide extra pay. Additionally, exploring opportunities to bridge into LPN or RN pathways can significantly enhance long-term career prospects in this evolving health care environment post-COVID.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 $37,659 for certified nursing assistantsin the Burlington 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
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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