Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Missouri: $41,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $41,408/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,214 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($41,290), Kansas City ($39,710), St. Louis ($39,110).
In Missouri, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is projected to be $41,408, which represents an 8.0% decrease compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary landscape varies significantly across different cities, with the highest paying city being Columbia at $43,974 and the lowest in Hannibal at $35,786. This gap of $8,188 can be attributed to several factors including local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the availability of nursing positions. In terms of employment, there are 36,512 certified nursing assistants in the state, indicating a stable job market bolstered by a projected growth rate of 6.50% annually. State licensing requirements are mandatory, and the scope of practice laws delineate the tasks certified nursing assistants can perform. Demand for these professionals is driven by an aging population and the need for healthcare support in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home care services. Cities such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Independence, and St. Peters follow Columbia, with salaries ranging from $39,290 to $42,291, reflecting local economic conditions and healthcare needs.
Missouri Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $29,830 (lowest entry-level) to $51,577 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri certified nursing assistants earn 8% less than the national median ($-3,599/year difference).
Missouri Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Missouri range from $37,045 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $49,589 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,408. The Missouri median is $3,599 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $19.91/hr. Approximately 36,512 certified nursing assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,213
2025 BLS Actual
$38,881
2026 Current Est.
$41,408
2019–2027 Growth
+68.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,213 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,324 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,177 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,126 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 48.3% from $26,213 (2019) to $38,881 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,886 (68.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $43,974 | 89.438 | $49,167 |
| Kansas City | $42,291 | 92.543 | $45,699 |
| Cape Girardeau | $39,032 | 86.078 | $45,345 |
| St. Joseph | $38,234 | 86.382 | $44,262 |
| Independence | $39,579 | 89.6 | $44,173 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,045 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,408 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $49,589 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $43,974 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $42,291 |
| 3 | St. Louis | $41,652 |
| 4 | Independence | $39,579 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $39,290 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $39,215 |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $39,032 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $38,761 |
| 9 | Florissant | $38,558 |
| 10 | Springfield | $38,532 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $38,474 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $38,462 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $38,441 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $38,436 |
| 15 | Jefferson City | $38,425 |
| 16 | St. Joseph | $38,234 |
| 17 | University City | $38,234 |
| 18 | Liberty | $38,219 |
| 19 | Grandview | $38,153 |
| 20 | Maryland Heights | $38,090 |
| 21 | Blue Springs | $37,658 |
| 22 | Raytown | $37,434 |
| 23 | Webster Groves | $37,247 |
| 24 | Sedalia | $37,236 |
| 25 | Ballwin | $37,169 |
| 26 | Nixa | $37,165 |
| 27 | Gladstone | $37,066 |
| 28 | Wentzville | $36,979 |
| 29 | Joplin | $36,849 |
| 30 | Belton | $36,667 |
| 31 | Branson | $36,040 |
| 32 | Raymore | $35,902 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $35,786 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Missouri?
How does Missouri certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Missouri?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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