Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wichita, KS: $47,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Wichita, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $47,850/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Wichita's price premium (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $53,797 in average-cost America. The 20% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Wichita offers competitive pay for seasoned certified nursing assistants, particularly at the top end of the salary spectrum. Professionals with over seven years of experience can expect to earn around $47,850 annually, significantly surpassing the median salary of $39,714 for this role in 2026. This substantial gap reflects the experience premium that senior CNAs achieve as they refine their skills and expertise over the years. When compared to the national top certified nursing assistant salary of $45,007, the premium in Wichita highlights the potential for top earners to excel further in this market, especially for those willing to pursue specialized certifications or advanced roles that can elevate their pay.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Wichita earn between $41,716 and $47,850 per year (2026 est.). This $13,940 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Wichita median of $39,714 sits 11.76% below the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Wichita | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $39,714 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $41,716 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $47,850 | $55,359 |
In Wichita, experienced certified nursing assistants (P90) earn 20.49% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Certified Nursing Assistant Pay in Wichita
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $39,714 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Wichita employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Wichita command premium compensation, often reaching the $41,716–$47,850 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Wichita 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 Wichita 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 Kansas 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 Wichita
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedWichita ranks #12 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $47,850).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Wichita ($47,850) is 1.4% below the Kansas average P90 ($48,528).
2019 BLS Actual
$31,590
2025 BLS Actual
$44,930
2026 Current Est.
$47,850
2019–2027 Growth
+61.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,961 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Wichita saw their compensation grow 42.2% from $31,590 in 2019 to $44,930 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 $50,961 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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 Wichita
Compensation for senior certified nursing assistants in Wichita can be influenced by various factors beyond the base salary. Specializations such as restorative aide, medication aide, and dementia care lead to higher pay due to the additional skills required. Additionally, workplace environments matter; CNAs in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies may see varied pay scales. Advanced roles, like charge CNA or roles bridged to LPNs or RNs, open doors for greater earning potential. Credential acquisition, including state CNA certification and CPR/BLS, is also vital. Moreover, shift differentials and agency premium pay during staffing shortages can contribute significantly to overall earnings, driving total compensation even higher beyond the annual salary figures. Consequently, the senior CNA career path in Wichita emphasizes not only the pursuit of advanced credentials but diversified experience across different care settings to maximize earning capacity.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Wichita in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Wichita?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Wichita?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Wichita?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Wichita?
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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 $44,930 for certified nursing assistants in the Wichita 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