Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $41,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $41,652/year (≈ $20.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $46,819 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, certified nursing assistants earn a median annual salary of $41,652, reflecting a nuanced job market influenced by the choice between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The salary range spans from $37,648 at the 10th percentile to $53,048 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight how local dynamics can dictate pay levels. While salaries in Cedar Rapids fall below the national median of $45,007, the local job opportunities remain robust, presenting various paths for career advancement in the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,648 | $18.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,457 | $18.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,652 | $20.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,841 | $23.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,048 | $25.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,400 (2026 est.). At $41,652, the local median is 7.45% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Rapids Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $41,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $41,777 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -7.45% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $41,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.30% below the Iowa state average of $41,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,652 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,819 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,350
2025 BLS Actual
$39,110
2026 Current Est.
$41,652
2019–2027 Growth
+51.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,360 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 33.3% from $29,350 (2019) to $39,110 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,360 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,010 (51.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $37,648 – $38,457 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,457 – $41,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,652 – $48,841 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,841 – $53,048 |
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 Cedar Rapids
With approximately 1,740 certified nursing assistants employed in Cedar Rapids, the local job market demonstrates strength despite the overall salary being softer compared to national figures. The cost of living index at 88.963 suggests that take-home purchasing power might stretch further than in many larger cities, providing an important context for prospective CNAs wondering how much do certified nursing assistants make in Cedar Rapids. Employers such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically pay more due to higher acuity and specialized care needs, while shift differentials and premium pay options can significantly enhance earnings. For example, night shifts might command an additional $2 to $4 per hour, while weekend work could earn CNAs $1 to $3 more per hour on average. To maximize their pay in this market, CNAs should consider seeking positions in high-demand settings, investing time into obtaining additional certifications, or exploring agency opportunities that often offer higher hourly rates during staffing shortages.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 $39,110 for certified nursing assistantsin the Cedar Rapids 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