Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbia, MO: $43,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Columbia, MO earns a median $43,974/year (≈ $21.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $49,167 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.4% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Columbia, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $43,974, reflecting the local nuances in the job market compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range spans from $34,357 at the 10th percentile to $50,619 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variability in pay based on employer type and experience. With the healthcare landscape featuring both skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, pay differentials based on the specific structural choices can influence overall earning potential. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, and with a steady growth rate of 6.50%, job opportunities for CNAs in Columbia appear promising as facilities continue to seek reliable staff.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,357 | $16.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,265 | $18.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,974 | $21.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,974 | $21.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,619 | $24.34 |
Median Salary Position
2.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, MO, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,262 (2026 est.). At $43,974, the local median is 2.3% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $43,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $38,778 | +13.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -2.30% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbia, MO earn a median of $43,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.30% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 13.40% above the Missouri state average of $38,778.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 10.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.438 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $43,974 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,167 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,640
2025 BLS Actual
$41,290
2026 Current Est.
$43,974
2019–2027 Growth
+98.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 74.7% from $23,640 (2019) to $41,290 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,192 (98.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,357 – $38,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,265 – $43,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,974 – $43,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,974 – $50,619 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Columbia
Exploring the job market for certified nursing assistants in Columbia reveals strong local employment, with 2,040 CNAs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 89.438, suggesting that wages generally maintain decent purchasing power relative to local living expenses. Skilled nursing facilities often yield the most competitive salaries, while hospitals usually offer better pay for high-acuity units such as ICUs. Factors like shift differentials—ranging from an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekend work—significantly impact overall earnings. In this context, CNAs can maximize their pay by seeking employment in those high-demand settings or considering weekend-only roles. For those looking to further enhance their career trajectory, pursuing certifications like CMA or bridging into LPN/RN pathways could be beneficial in an environment where the demand for healthcare professionals remains strong.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $41,290 for certified nursing assistantsin the Columbia metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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