Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kansas City, KS: $42,561 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Kansas City, KS earns a median $42,561/year (≈ $20.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $46,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Kansas City, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $42,561, which positions them about 5.43% below the national median of $45,007. Salary estimates indicate a range from $32,419 at the lower end (P10) to $52,351 at the higher end (P90). This disparity reflects local factors, particularly the differences in employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities versus hospitals, which often offer different pay scales due to the nature of care provided. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve post-COVID, Kansas City's competitive job market emphasizes the need for skilled CNAs who can adapt to various patient care environments, ultimately influencing their compensation.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,419 | $15.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,013 | $17.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,561 | $20.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,598 | $22.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,351 | $25.17 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, KS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,932 (2026 est.). At $42,561, the local median is 5.43% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be above the median
How Kansas City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $42,561/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $40,924 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.43% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Kansas City, KS earn a median of $42,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.00% above the Kansas state average of $40,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas 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.
Kansas City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,561 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,822 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,048
2025 BLS Actual
$39,963
2026 Current Est.
$42,561
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,048 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,566 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,561 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $28,048 (2019) to $39,963 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,279 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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) | $32,419 – $36,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,013 – $42,561 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,561 – $47,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,598 – $52,351 |
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 Kansas City
The job market for CNAs in Kansas City is currently stable, with 25 individuals employed in this role, reflecting a growing demand for healthcare services in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 90.9, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power of CNAs remains relatively solid compared to other markets. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer better pay compared to hospitals, though higher wages can be found in specialty areas like ICUs or rehabilitation hospitals. The wide salary range can be driven by factors such as shift differentials, where evening and weekend shifts can add $2-4 per hour, as well as potential premiums offered by agencies during staffing shortages. For CNAs looking to maximize their pay in Kansas City, pursuing weekend-only roles, obtaining additional certifications, and capitalizing on the shift differentials can make a significant difference in overall earnings.
More salary data for Kansas 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 $39,963 for certified nursing assistantsin the Kansas 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 Kansas 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