Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $39,032 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $39,032/year (≈ $18.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $45,345 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO, is expected to reach $39,032. This figure reflects a salary range from $32,600 at the 10th percentile to $46,285 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This compensation offers a solid foundation for CNAs looking to build a career in health care, especially for those considering advancing their credentials to LPN or RN, which can significantly elevate earning potential. While the local salaries represent a 13.28% deficit compared to the national median of $45,007, the demand for healthcare workers remains strong in Cape Girardeau, making it a promising market for individuals aiming to establish themselves in the nursing field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,600 | $15.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,934 | $17.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,032 | $18.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,066 | $19.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,285 | $22.25 |
Median Salary Position
13.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,685 (2026 est.). At $39,032, the local median is 13.28% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $39,032/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,799 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -13.28% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $39,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.28% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.60% above the Missouri state average of $38,799.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,032 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,345 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,600
2025 BLS Actual
$36,650
2026 Current Est.
$39,032
2019–2027 Growth
+76.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,032 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,569 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 55.3% from $23,600 (2019) to $36,650 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,569 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,969 (76.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $32,600 – $36,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,934 – $39,032 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,032 – $41,066 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,066 – $46,285 |
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 Cape Girardeau
Looking at the local job market, approximately 680 certified nursing assistants are currently employed in Cape Girardeau, providing a substantial workforce for healthcare facilities. The cost of living index sits at 86.078, suggesting that while nominal salaries may appear lower than the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, particularly those with specialized units like ICUs, often offer higher pay rates, frequently augmented by shift differentials for night or weekend work. These variances in pay can be influenced by factors such as agency premiums during staffing shortages, CMA certification stipends, and facility-specific acuity-based pay structures. To maximize earning potential, CNAs in this area should consider focusing on obtaining additional certifications or choosing shifts that offer higher premiums, positioning themselves effectively within the evolving landscape of healthcare employment in Cape Girardeau.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 $36,650 for certified nursing assistantsin the Cape Girardeau 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