Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Emporia, KS: $37,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Emporia, KS earns a median $37,769/year (≈ $18.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $41,550 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Emporia, Kansas, a certified nursing assistant can expect a median annual salary of $37,769, which reflects a significant difference compared to the national median of $45,007. Salaries for CNAs in the area range from $32,873 at the 10th percentile to $44,552 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a variety of pay levels influenced by experience and the type of care environment. This compensation data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, shows how local wages can vary between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, with potential differences stemming from the structural choices regarding healthcare settings. The demand for CNAs remains strong in Emporia, shaping a competitive job market for these roles.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,873 | $15.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,494 | $16.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,769 | $18.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,737 | $20.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,552 | $21.42 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,679 (2026 est.). At $37,769, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Emporia median: $37,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $40,920 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.08% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Emporia, KS earn a median of $37,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $40,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,550 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,890
2025 BLS Actual
$35,464
2026 Current Est.
$37,769
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,889 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,436 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,057 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,464 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,890 (2019) to $35,464 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,334 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $32,873 – $34,494 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,494 – $37,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,769 – $41,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,737 – $44,552 |
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 Emporia
The job market in Emporia features around five certified nursing assistants currently employed, indicating a relatively tight sector due to the limited number of positions available. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, workers in this area may find that their take-home pay goes further compared to locations with higher living costs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often provide the highest wages, reflecting the demands of patient acuity and extended care hours. Pay disparities between lower and higher-end salaries in Emporia can be attributed to various factors, such as shift differentials for night or weekend work, agency premiums due to staffing shortages, and stipends for CNAs with CMA certifications. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, seeking weekend-only roles or positions at high-acuity facilities can yield higher compensation, along with considering the pathways to advance into LPN or RN roles as a long-term career strategy.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
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 $35,464 for certified nursing assistantsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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