Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Urbandale, IA: $39,909 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Urbandale, IA earns a median $39,909/year (≈ $19.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $44,147 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $39,909. This figure reflects the post-COVID wage reset, establishing a new compensation floor for the market. The salary range for this role varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $33,809 and experienced professionals earning up to $47,389. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, accounting for local cost adjustments. While the median salary here is notably lower than the national average of $45,007, it highlights the ongoing need for competitive compensation to attract and retain staff in a market continuously impacted by turnover and staffing challenges.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,809 | $16.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,909 | $19.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,045 | $21.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,389 | $22.78 |
Median Salary Position
11.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,580 (2026 est.). At $39,909, the local median is 11.33% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $39,909/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $41,789 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -11.33% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $39,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.33% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $41,789.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,909 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,147 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,300
2025 BLS Actual
$37,473
2026 Current Est.
$39,909
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,355 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,709 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,873 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,473 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,909 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,503 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,300 (2019) to $37,473 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,203 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $33,809 – $36,020 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,020 – $39,909 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,909 – $44,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,045 – $47,389 |
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 Urbandale
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Urbandale employs 12 certified nursing assistants, reflecting a steady demand for these essential healthcare roles. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be below the national average, the purchasing power is relatively favorable for residents. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals often lead in compensation, especially for shifts that require higher acuity staff. The pay gap can be influenced by factors like shift differentials, which add between $2-4/hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekend work. Additionally, taking on weekend-only roles can maximize earnings. For certified nursing assistants looking to boost their income in Urbandale, pursuing CMA certification or exploring higher-paying agency roles during staffing shortages are effective strategies worth considering.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $37,473 for certified nursing assistantsin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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