Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $19.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $19.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,338 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,203 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $19.39 in 2026, which is notably below the national median hourly rate of $21.64. This pay rate reflects the local market dynamics, offering part-time and per-diem workers crucial earning opportunities in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health visits, hospice care, and assisted living environments. For part-time positions working approximately three days a week, the hourly wages translate into a steady income, particularly for those seeking to balance work with other commitments. The hourly rate in Council Bluffs ranges from $15.58 for entry-level positions to $23.42 for the more experienced or specialized CNAs, highlighting a clear pathway for income growth within this profession.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.58 | $124.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.02 | $136.15 |
| Median (P50) | $19.39 | $155.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.92 | $175.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.42 | $187.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $19.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.39/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $40,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,272. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $775.75 | $3,362 | $40,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $465.45 | $2,017 | $24,203 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $310.30 | $1,345 | $16,136 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Council Bluffs) | $19.39 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $40,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.37% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $41,758.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.39/hr = $24,203/year (purchasing power: $26,774).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,339/year (purchasing power: $44,623).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Council Bluffs grew 42.5% from $12.78/hr (2019) to $18.21/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.65/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Council Bluffs
Considering the earning potential for part-time CNAs, those working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $24,262 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Council Bluffs can be more lucrative, with agency CNAs frequently billing between $22 and $32 per hour. Weekend and holiday shifts can yield bonus rates, reaching $30 to $45 in high-demand periods. While various employers, including skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, offer different hourly rates, the trade-off between higher pay without benefits versus lower pay that includes health insurance is a constant consideration for many. Practical strategies for negotiating hourly pay in Council Bluffs include emphasizing flexibility to work off-peak hours or showcasing specialized certifications that may attract higher wages. Understanding these nuances can empower CNAs in their career growth, as many eventually bridge into LPN or RN programs.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Council Bluffs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs 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