Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kansas City, MO: $42,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Kansas City, MO earns a median $42,291/year (≈ $20.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $45,699 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, the certified nursing assistant salary in Kansas City reflects the post-COVID wage reset, with a median annual compensation projected at $42,291 in 2026. This figure situates the local market at about 6.03% below the national median of $45,007, illustrating the region’s unique economic dynamics. Certified nursing assistants in this area will see pay ranges from $38,883 at the 10th percentile to $51,258 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse array of opportunities depending on experience, specialization, and facility type. These insights are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Office of Employment and Wage Statistics, showcasing the evolving landscape of nursing assistants as they adapt to new challenges and demands in the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,883 | $18.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,182 | $19.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,291 | $20.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,596 | $23.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,258 | $24.64 |
Median Salary Position
6.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,375 (2026 est.). At $42,291, the local median is 6.03% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kansas City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $42,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,799 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.03% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $42,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 9.00% above the Missouri state average of $38,799.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 7.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.543 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,291 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,699 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,000
2025 BLS Actual
$39,710
2026 Current Est.
$42,291
2019–2027 Growth
+60.9%
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 | $28,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 41.8% from $28,000 (2019) to $39,710 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,040 (60.86%) 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) | $38,883 – $40,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,182 – $42,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,291 – $48,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,596 – $51,258 |
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
With around 13,370 certified nursing assistants employed in Kansas City, the local job market is relatively robust, especially given the cost-of-living index of 92.543, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of CNA salaries, even if they are somewhat lower than the national average. Factors influencing pay rates include employer type, with skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals generally offering the highest salaries among local employers. Employers often provide shift differentials, with night shifts typically paying an additional $2 to $4 per hour and weekends offering $1 to $3 more. Additionally, agency work can command higher rates during staffing shortages, and obtaining Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification can provide further financial incentives. For CNAs striving to maximize their income, considering roles with weekend-only premiums or seeking positions in higher-acuity facilities can be effective strategies in Kansas City’s evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Kansas City?
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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 $39,710 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
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