Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Davenport, IA: $49,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Davenport, IA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $49,853/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Davenport's price premium (BEA RPP 89.1, 11% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $55,965 in average-cost America. The 21% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Achieving top-tier compensation as an experienced certified nursing assistant in Davenport, Iowa, positions professionals well above the median annual salary of $41,258. In 2026, seasoned practitioners can aspire to a remarkable P90 salary of $49,853, illustrating the considerable experience premium available to those with seven or more years in the field. This gap emphasizes the lucrative potential of advancing one’s career through specialized training and certifications. Many successful CNAs in Davenport elevate their earning capabilities by taking on roles that require advanced skills or by transitioning into leadership positions, thus differentiating themselves from their peers within the nursing assistant community.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Davenport earn between $48,276 and $49,853 per year (2026 est.). This $11,406 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Davenport median of $41,258 sits 8.33% below the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Davenport | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $41,258 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,276 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $49,853 | $55,359 |
In Davenport, experienced certified nursing assistants (P90) earn 20.83% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Certified Nursing Assistant Pay in Davenport
Advanced Certifications in Iowa
IA certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $41,258 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Davenport employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Davenport command premium compensation, often reaching the $48,276–$49,853 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Davenport metro area, which is a large CNA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced certified nursing assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured certified nursing assistants in Davenport with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Certified Nursing Assistants in Iowa who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Certified Nursing Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Davenport
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedDavenport ranks #9 of 26 Iowa cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $49,853).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Davenport ($49,853) is 4.86% below the Iowa average P90 ($52,399).
2019 BLS Actual
$33,470
2025 BLS Actual
$46,810
2026 Current Est.
$49,853
2019–2027 Growth
+58.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,093 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Davenport saw their compensation grow 39.9% from $33,470 in 2019 to $46,810 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 6.50% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $53,093 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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.
Maximizing Your Certified Nursing Assistant Earnings in Davenport
In Davenport, certain specializations can significantly increase senior certified nursing assistant pay IA. For example, roles such as restorative aide, medication aide, and those specializing in dementia care or hospice care command premium wages. Employers across various settings—skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers—offer differing compensation structures and incentives, with many providing shift differentials of $2-4 for evenings and weekends and additional stipends for agency work during staffing shortages. Career advancement for experienced CNAs often leads to positions such as charge CNA or training coordinator, with some choosing to pursue the CNA-to-LPN or CNA-to-RN bridge routes for further financial and professional growth. Enhanced credentials, including CPR/BLS certification and certification as a medication aide where allowed, contribute to elevated salaries in Davenport's competitive job market, underscoring the value of continued professional development in achieving higher earnings.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Davenport in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Davenport?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Davenport?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Davenport?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Davenport?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $46,810 for certified nursing assistants in the Davenport metro area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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