Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Joplin, MO: $36,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Joplin, MO earns a median $36,849/year (≈ $17.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $42,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in Joplin, Missouri, will earn a median annual salary of $36,849. This figure highlights a significant difference compared to the national median of $45,007, illustrating the unique pay structure in the region. The salary range for CNAs in Joplin spanned from $33,100 at the 10th percentile to $43,186 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Joplin's job market presents a diverse landscape for CNAs, with opportunities in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies, which all offer varying levels of compensation reflective of their specialized care demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,100 | $15.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,453 | $16.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,849 | $17.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,884 | $19.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,186 | $20.76 |
Median Salary Position
18.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,086 (2026 est.). At $36,849, the local median is 18.13% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Joplin median: $36,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,788 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -18.13% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Joplin, MO earn a median of $36,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.13% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.00% below the Missouri state average of $38,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $36,849 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,989 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,130
2025 BLS Actual
$34,600
2026 Current Est.
$36,849
2019–2027 Growth
+62.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 43.4% from $24,130 (2019) to $34,600 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,114 (62.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $33,100 – $34,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,453 – $36,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,849 – $39,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,884 – $43,186 |
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 Joplin
With approximately 1,180 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Joplin, the local job market is robust, yet remains sensitive to the cost of living, which stands at a lower-than-national average index of 85.718. This index suggests that CNAs in the area have relatively strong purchasing power despite the salary being below the national level, enabling them to afford a comfortable living in Joplin. Among the different employer types, skilled nursing facilities often provide the most wages, followed closely by hospitals and rehabilitation centers, particularly for those who work nights or weekends, often earning an additional $2-4 per hour as shift differentials. Factors like agency premiums during staffing shortages and additional stipends for CNAs with CMA certification further influence pay variances. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, aspiring CNAs should consider obtaining additional certifications and pursuing flexible roles that offer weekend or night shifts for enhanced pay opportunities.
More salary data for Joplin, 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 $34,600 for certified nursing assistantsin the Joplin 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