Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $40,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $40,338/year (≈ $19.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $44,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Council Bluffs, Iowa can expect to earn a median salary of $40,338, which is approximately 10.37% lower than the national median of $45,007. The projected salary range for this role is from $32,409 at the 10th percentile to $48,715 at the 90th percentile. These figures are local estimates derived from state-level BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. For those contemplating a move up the career ladder, the earnings potential increases significantly with certifications such as the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), underscoring the economic advantages of pursuing further education in the health care field.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,409 | $15.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,397 | $17.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,338 | $19.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,594 | $21.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,715 | $23.42 |
Median Salary Position
10.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,306 (2026 est.). At $40,338, the local median is 10.37% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $40,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $41,758 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.37% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $40,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.37% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $41,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,338 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,622 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,583
2025 BLS Actual
$37,876
2026 Current Est.
$40,338
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,429 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,876 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,960 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,583 (2019) to $37,876 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,960 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,377 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $32,409 – $35,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,397 – $40,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,338 – $45,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,594 – $48,715 |
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 Council Bluffs
The job market for CNAs in Council Bluffs, IA, is on the rise with 12 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.4, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the most competitive pay. Factors influencing the variability in pay include shift differentials, which can add $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends, as well as agency premiums during staffing shortages and the added incentive for working in higher-acuity facilities. For aspiring CNAs aiming to maximize their earning potential in Council Bluffs, seeking positions that value flexibility, like weekend-only roles or those that offer better pay for extended hours, can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $37,876 for certified nursing assistantsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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