Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Garden City, KS: $40,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Garden City, KS earns a median $40,546/year (≈ $19.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $44,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Garden City, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $40,546, which is approximately 9.91% lower than the national median of $45,007. Salary figures for local CNAs range from $33,461 at the 10th percentile to $47,095 at the 90th percentile, indicating a spectrum of earning potential that reflects differing levels of experience and workplace settings. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and they capture a market that favors skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies, environments that frequently pay more compared to hospital roles due to the demands of the job and the existing workforce challenges.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,461 | $16.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,941 | $17.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,546 | $19.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,981 | $21.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,095 | $22.64 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, KS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,634 (2026 est.). At $40,546, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be above the median
How Garden City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Garden City median: $40,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $40,914 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -9.91% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Garden City, KS earn a median of $40,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $40,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City 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.
Garden City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,720
2025 BLS Actual
$38,071
2026 Current Est.
$40,546
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,792 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,413 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,071 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,720 (2019) to $38,071 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,461 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City 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) | $33,461 – $35,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,941 – $40,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,546 – $44,981 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,981 – $47,095 |
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 Garden City
Currently, there are six certified nursing assistants employed in Garden City, underscoring the local market's limited opportunities. With a cost of living index at 90.9, CNAs may find their purchasing power slightly enhanced, though it still reflects a modest challenge when compared to national norms. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive compensation packages, although hospitals and rehabilitation centers also provide viable options. The spread between low and high pay can often be attributed to shift differentials, with CNAs earning an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and around $1 to $3 extra for weekends. To maximize their salaries, CNAs in Garden City should consider pursuing additional certifications, remaining flexible with shift preferences, and exploring opportunities in the more lucrative home health sector. This proactive approach can improve career progression while helping bridge into higher-paying roles such as LPN or RN in the future.
More salary data for Garden City, 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 $38,071 for certified nursing assistantsin the Garden City 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 Garden City 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