Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Springfield, MO: $38,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Springfield, MO earns a median $38,532/year (≈ $18.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $43,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Springfield, Missouri, the market for certified nursing assistants has seen significant adjustments following post-COVID wage resets. The 2026 median annual salary stands at $38,532, reflecting the evolving landscape of healthcare compensation. Salaries for certified nursing assistants in Springfield range from $33,271 at the lower end to $44,964 at the higher end, showcasing a spectrum of opportunities based on experience and employer. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrating that while local salaries may be lower than the national median of $45,007, the upward trend in compensation suggests competitive optimism for the workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,271 | $16.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,275 | $17.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,532 | $18.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,884 | $19.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,964 | $21.62 |
Median Salary Position
14.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,693 (2026 est.). At $38,532, the local median is 14.39% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Springfield median: $38,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,764 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.39% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Springfield, MO earn a median of $38,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.39% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.60% below the Missouri state average of $38,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 11.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 88.585 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,497 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,140
2025 BLS Actual
$36,180
2026 Current Est.
$38,532
2019–2027 Growth
+63.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 43.9% from $25,140 (2019) to $36,180 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,896 (63.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $33,271 – $37,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,275 – $38,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,532 – $39,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,884 – $44,964 |
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 Springfield
With approximately 3,150 certified nursing assistants employed in the area, the job market remains robust despite fluctuating economic conditions. Springfield's cost of living index currently sits at 88.585, presenting an advantage for those in the profession as it allows for relatively greater purchasing power compared to many national standards. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals are known for offering the most competitive wages, while abilities to earn higher pay typically hinge on factors like shift differentials and special roles that require specific certifications. Maximizing certified nursing assistant pay in Springfield, MO, can involve seeking positions with weekend premiums or flexible scheduling options that recognize increased demand. Additionally, pursuing certifications such as CMA can further enhance earning potential, especially as the demand for nursing professionals continues to grow in the post-COVID healing environment.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $36,180 for certified nursing assistantsin the Springfield 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