Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $20.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Kansas City, MO runs $20.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,291 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,373 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for certified nursing assistants is $20.33, slightly below the national median of $21.64. This rate is particularly relevant for those seeking flexible work arrangements, such as part-time schedules of three days a week, which typically involve 24 hours of service. Per-diem certified nursing assistant pay in Kansas City can vary based on the setting, with professionals working in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health often earning between $18.69 and $24.64 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates a broad range of pay distribution where entry-level CNAs can expect to start at the lower end, while seasoned professionals may command higher rates in specialized roles or during peak demand periods.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.69 | $149.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.32 | $154.55 |
| Median (P50) | $20.33 | $162.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.37 | $186.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.64 | $197.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $20.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.33/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $42,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,397. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $813.23 | $3,524 | $42,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $487.94 | $2,114 | $25,373 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $325.29 | $1,410 | $16,915 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Kansas City) | $20.33 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $42,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 9.00% above the Missouri state average of $38,799.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.33/hr = $25,373/year (purchasing power: $27,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,288/year (purchasing power: $45,696).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+60.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Kansas City grew 41.8% from $13.46/hr (2019) to $19.09/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.65/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
The earning potential for part-time certified nursing assistants working 24 hours a week can amount to a substantial $25,298 annually, offering a viable income alternative to those who prefer not to work full-time. For CNAs working on a per-diem basis, rates can significantly increase, with agency CNAs frequently billing between $22 and $32 an hour. In competitive markets, weekend-only contracts may offer premiums that reach $30 to $45 per hour. Differences in hourly rates across employment types also exist; CNAs in hospitals, for example, often earn more in critical care settings compared to work in assisted living facilities or rehabilitation centers. Many CNAs face a choice between higher pay and job stability, as options with health benefits might come with lower hourly wages. This wage landscape emphasizes the necessity for effective negotiation tactics when discussing compensation, particularly in a city like Kansas City where workforce shortages have led to increased pay rates in the healthcare industry.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Kansas City in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Kansas City?
Are certified nursing assistants in Kansas City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Kansas City?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kansas City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 Kansas City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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