Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Des Moines, WA: $50,711 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Des Moines, WA earns a median $50,711/year (≈ $24.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $47,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Des Moines, WA, is projected to reach a median of $50,711 annually, reflecting a strong local market that exceeds the national average of $45,007 by approximately 12.67%. The salary range spans from $41,663 at the lower decile to $60,799 at the upper decile, with opportunities for advancement available through career pathways such as bridging to licensed practical nursing (LPN) or registered nursing (RN). These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, indicating that CNAs in Des Moines can find competitive wages that align with the growing demands of the healthcare sector.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,663 | $20.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,711 | $24.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,206 | $27.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,799 | $29.23 |
Median Salary Position
12.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,136 (2026 est.). At $50,711, the local median is 12.67% above the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $50,711/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,172 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | +12.67% more |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $50,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.67% higher than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $51,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,711 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,217 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,419
2025 BLS Actual
$47,616
2026 Current Est.
$50,711
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,292 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,711 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $33,419 (2019) to $47,616 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,588 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $41,663 – $44,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,930 – $50,711 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,711 – $56,206 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,206 – $60,799 |
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 Des Moines
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Des Moines currently employs seven professionals, illustrating a specialized niche that reflects the broader challenges faced in staffing within healthcare facilities. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the higher local expenses mean that take-home pay can be significantly impacted, making wage competitiveness essential for attracting talent. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, influenced by factors such as shift differentials for night and weekend work, and additional premiums for positions in critical care units. The variation in pay within the market is also attributed to the ongoing staffing shortages that allow for agency premium pay and stipends for those with specific certifications. For certified nursing assistants seeking to maximize their pay in Des Moines, targeting employers with robust benefits and considering opportunities in higher-acuity settings could provide a meaningful advantage in their careers.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Des Moines, WA in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Des Moines?
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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 $47,616 for certified nursing assistantsin the Des Moines 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
Salary data for Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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