Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $38,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $38,234/year (≈ $18.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $44,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $38,234, reflecting a 15.05% difference when compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range spans from $32,046 at the 10th percentile to $46,381 at the 90th percentile, as reported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The difference in pay often arises from the distinction between work in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where pay structures can vary significantly. This disparity is further influenced by factors such as shift differentials, the acuity of patient care, and regional demands for nursing staff, making St. Joseph's market quite competitive in terms of nursing assistant opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,046 | $15.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,222 | $17.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,234 | $18.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,291 | $20.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,381 | $22.30 |
Median Salary Position
15.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,335 (2026 est.). At $38,234, the local median is 15.05% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Joseph Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $38,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,776 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -15.05% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $38,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $38,776.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 13.62% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.382 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,234 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,262 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,330
2025 BLS Actual
$35,900
2026 Current Est.
$38,234
2019–2027 Growth
+67.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 47.6% from $24,330 (2019) to $35,900 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,389 (67.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $32,046 – $37,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,222 – $38,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,234 – $42,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,291 – $46,381 |
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 St. Joseph
Currently, there are about 620 certified nursing assistants employed in the St. Joseph area, providing a solid job market for those looking to enter this field. The cost of living index is 86.382, suggesting that take-home pay might stretch further in St. Joseph compared to many other regions. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed closely by hospitals, particularly in critical care settings. The pay spread can be influenced by multiple factors, including shift differentials where night shifts can pay an additional $2 to $4 per hour, weekend work often garners a premium of $1 to $3, and agency staffing needs during shortages, which pay consultants above standard rates. To maximize earning potential in the St. Joseph MO market, pursuing certifications like CMA, considering weekend-only positions, and aiming for higher-acuity roles are effective strategies for job seekers in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for St. Joseph, 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 $35,900 for certified nursing assistantsin the St. Joseph 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