Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in St. Louis, MO: $41,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in St. Louis, MO earns a median $41,652/year (≈ $20.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in St. Louis's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $43,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in St. Louis, Missouri, is estimated at $41,652, presenting a modest 7.45% lower than the national median of $45,007. This sector's salary range in St. Louis spans from $37,595 at the 10th percentile to $49,938 at the 90th percentile, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected for 2026. The numbers reflect a new wage floor in the post-COVID era, as the healthcare market continues to rebalance after significant workforce shifts. As facilities adapt to enhance competitive pay, consistent employment opportunities for certified nursing assistants represent a fundamental aspect of St. Louis's healthcare dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,595 | $18.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,597 | $19.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,652 | $20.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,531 | $22.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,938 | $24.01 |
Median Salary Position
7.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis
In St. Louis, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,343 (2026 est.). At $41,652, the local median is 7.45% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Louis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Louis Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
St. Louis median: $41,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,782 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -7.45% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Louis, MO earn a median of $41,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 7.40% above the Missouri state average of $38,782.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis has a cost of living 4.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis, MO has a cost-of-living index of 95.088 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,652 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,804 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,730
2025 BLS Actual
$39,110
2026 Current Est.
$41,652
2019–2027 Growth
+72.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,360 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 52.0% from $25,730 (2019) to $39,110 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,360 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,630 (72.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis 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) | $37,595 – $39,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,597 – $41,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,652 – $47,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,531 – $49,938 |
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. Louis
The job market for certified nursing assistants in St. Louis currently employs approximately 14,620 individuals, reinforcing the demand for healthcare support roles in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 95.088, living expenses remain relatively manageable, allowing for better purchasing power compared to many other metropolitan areas. Notably, employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest wages within the region, reflecting the intense nature of these roles. The pay scale varies significantly due to factors such as shift differentials—often adding $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and weekend premiums ranging from $1 to $3. Moreover, staffing agency roles may command higher compensation during times of acute shortages. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, certified nursing assistants might pursue additional qualifications like CMA certification or consider weekend-only positions that provide enhanced pay. Exploring bridge programs to LPN or RN can also present avenues for long-term career advancement and salary growth.
More salary data for St. Louis, 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 $39,110 for certified nursing assistantsin the St. Louis 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