Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Manhattan, KS: $38,425 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Manhattan, KS earns a median $38,425/year (≈ $18.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Manhattan's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $42,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

For 2026, certified nursing assistants in Manhattan, KS are projected to earn a median annual salary of $38,425, reflecting a post-COVID wage reset in the healthcare sector. This figure sits notably below the national median of $45,007, a disparity of 14.62% that emphasizes local economic factors. In this market, salaries range from $33,324 at the 10th percentile to $49,831 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience and specific roles within the field. These salary figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and illustrate how Manhattan's healthcare workforce is gradually stabilizing, amidst ongoing demand for certified nursing assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,324 | $16.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,202 | $18.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,425 | $18.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,945 | $22.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,831 | $23.95 |
Median Salary Position
14.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
In Manhattan, KS, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,507 (2026 est.). At $38,425, the local median is 14.62% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manhattan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manhattan Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Manhattan median: $38,425/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manhattan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $40,921 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.62% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Manhattan, KS earn a median of $38,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.62% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.10% below the Kansas state average of $40,921.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manhattan has a cost of living 9.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manhattan, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.162 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,425 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,280
2025 BLS Actual
$36,080
2026 Current Est.
$38,425
2019–2027 Growth
+61.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,425 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manhattan metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.7% from $25,280 (2019) to $36,080 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,643 (61.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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) | $33,324 – $38,202 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,202 – $38,425 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,425 – $46,945 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,945 – $49,831 |
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 Manhattan
Within Manhattan, around 840 certified nursing assistants are actively contributing to the local healthcare ecosystem, which plays a critical role in shaping wage dynamics. The area's cost of living index of 90.162 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the relative affordability of living in Manhattan allows for reasonable purchasing power. Pay scales vary significantly across different types of employers, with skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offering the highest wages. Factors such as shift differentials—nights typically paying an additional $2-4 per hour, and weekends offering a premium of $1-3—can further enhance earnings. To maximize pay in this market, CNAs might pursue roles with higher acuity levels, opt for weekend-only positions, or seek additional certifications like CMA, which can provide stipends and other compensation incentives. Those considering a bridge to LPN or RN can benefit from the upward mobility opportunities stemming from this foundational role.
More salary data for Manhattan, 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 $36,080 for certified nursing assistantsin the Manhattan 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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