Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $50,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Great Falls, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $50,609/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Great Falls's price premium (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $52,258 in average-cost America. The 21% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
For senior certified nursing assistants in Great Falls, MT, the earning potential is promising, with the 2026 projected top salary reaching $50,609. This figure represents the 90th percentile of earnings for experienced professionals in the field, highlighting the potential gap between the median annual salary of $41,886 and what top-tier earners achieve. Compared to the national top certified nursing assistant salary of $45,007, Great Falls offers slightly less, primarily due to its lower cost of living index. Achieving this level of compensation typically requires over seven years of experience, specialized training, and certifications that cater to high-demand areas within the healthcare field.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Great Falls earn between $49,097 and $50,609 per year (2026 est.). This $11,289 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Great Falls median of $41,886 sits 6.93% below the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Great Falls | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $41,886 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,097 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $50,609 | $55,359 |
In Great Falls, 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 Great Falls
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $41,886 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Great Falls employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Great Falls command premium compensation, often reaching the $49,097–$50,609 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Great Falls metro area 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 Great Falls 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 Montana 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 Great Falls
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGreat Falls ranks #5 of 7 Montana cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $50,609).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Great Falls ($50,609) is 6.39% below the Montana average P90 ($54,062).
2019 BLS Actual
$37,490
2025 BLS Actual
$47,520
2026 Current Est.
$50,609
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,898 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Great Falls saw their compensation grow 26.8% from $37,490 in 2019 to $47,520 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 $53,898 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Exploring avenues for increased compensation, experienced certified nursing assistants in Great Falls may consider specializations that command higher pay. Those with specialized skills as restorative aides, medication aides, or in dementia care tend to attract premium salaries. Employment settings also significantly impact earnings; skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally pay more than home health agencies or assisted living communities. Advancement opportunities like charge CNAs, training coordinators, or pathways to LPN and RN roles can enhance salary prospects further. Additionally, obtaining advanced credentials such as CPR/BLS or dementia care certifications can provide an edge in the competitive market. Senior-level CNAs may also benefit from shift differentials that add $2-4 per hour for night shifts and premiums for weekend work, especially when staffing shortages prevail in the post-COVID landscape.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Great Falls in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Great Falls?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Great Falls?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Great Falls?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Great Falls?
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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 $47,520 for certified nursing assistants in the Great Falls 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