Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in North Liberty, IA: $39,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in North Liberty, IA earns a median $39,390/year (≈ $18.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in North Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $43,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Liberty, Iowa, the fabric of career advancement for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) is woven tightly with educational pathways. With a median annual salary of $39,390 projected for 2026, CNAs in this city earn wages that sit approximately 12.48% below the national median of $45,007. The local salary range feels very much tied to experience and position, with figures spanning from $32,348 at the 10th percentile to $46,773 at the 90th percentile. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the growing demand for healthcare professionals in North Liberty, particularly as the market focuses on retaining talent in a post-COVID environment that experienced significant turnover and wage fluctuations in recent years.
About the North Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,348 | $15.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,004 | $17.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,602 | $20.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,773 | $22.48 |
Median Salary Position
12.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Liberty
In North Liberty, IA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,425 (2026 est.). At $39,390, the local median is 12.48% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Liberty Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
North Liberty median: $39,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $41,771 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.48% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in North Liberty, IA earn a median of $39,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.48% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $41,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Liberty 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.
North Liberty, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,573 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,958
2025 BLS Actual
$36,986
2026 Current Est.
$39,390
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,958 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,527 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,297 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,433 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,950 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Liberty metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,958 (2019) to $36,986 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,992 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Liberty 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) | $32,348 – $37,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,004 – $39,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,390 – $43,602 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,602 – $46,773 |
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 North Liberty
The local job market in North Liberty currently employs six certified nursing assistants, indicating a niche yet vital role for healthcare providers in the area. With a cost-of-living index at 90.4, the purchasing power of these wages is somewhat enhanced, allowing for more take-home benefits compared to less affordable markets. Healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, typically offer the most competitive wages, particularly those with weekend or shift differentials that can add $2-4 per hour for nights or weekends. As staffing shortages continue to affect healthcare, CNAs can leverage agency opportunities or pursue continuing education, such as CMA certification stipends. For maximizing earnings, focusing on specialty roles or weekend-only shifts can present lucrative options, particularly in a tight local market where employers are keen on attracting and retaining skilled nursing staff.
More salary data for North Liberty, 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 $36,986 for certified nursing assistantsin the North Liberty 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 North Liberty 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