Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Butte, MT: $40,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Butte, MT earns a median $40,706/year (≈ $19.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $42,314 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $40,706, certified nursing assistants in Butte, Montana are navigating a job market that offers competitive pay relative to the national average, which stands at $45,007. The salary range for CNAs here varies significantly, from $32,304 at the lower end (P10) to $49,771 at the high end (P90). These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living. In Butte, the choice between working in skilled nursing facilities versus hospitals can greatly influence earnings, reflecting varying structures and budgets in different healthcare settings.
As of now, there are only seven certified nursing assistants employed in Butte, highlighting a niche job market with specific nuances. With a cost-of-living index of 96.2, purchasing power in the area is slightly below the national average, which can affect how far salaries stretch. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often pay the most, especially for night shifts, which yield a premium of $2 to $4 per hour. Factors that contribute to the pay spread include staffing agency demands during shortages, certification bonuses, and additional pay for weekend work. For those looking to increase their earnings, capitalizing on evening and weekend shifts or pursuing certification in multiple areas can be effective strategies in the Butte market.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,304 | $15.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,673 | $17.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,706 | $19.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,707 | $21.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,771 | $23.93 |
Median Salary Position
9.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,467 (2026 est.). At $40,706, the local median is 9.56% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Butte median: $40,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $41,879 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -9.56% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Butte, MT earn a median of $40,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.56% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $41,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,706 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,314 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,826
2025 BLS Actual
$38,222
2026 Current Est.
$40,706
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,826 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,414 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,656 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,222 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,352 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,826 (2019) to $38,222 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,352 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,526 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $32,304 – $36,673 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,673 – $40,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,706 – $45,707 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,707 – $49,771 |
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 Butte
The projected growth rate for certified nursing assistants in Butte is set at 6.50% annually over the next five years, providing a stable outlook for this occupation. Despite being slightly lower than the national averages in terms of pay, the demand for skilled nursing assistants remains high, particularly in light of the post-COVID staffing challenges faced by healthcare facilities. This environment not only creates opportunities for current CNAs but also encourages career progression pathways toward becoming LPNs or RNs. Understanding the dynamics of local pay can inform job seekers of their potential earnings, while the growing demand for healthcare workers suggests that those entering the field can expect to see these figures rise further as facilities strive to attract and retain talent. For those in Butte aiming for long-term careers, the outlook in nursing demonstrates solid potential for advancement and higher salaries through further education and training.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
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 $38,222 for certified nursing assistantsin the Butte 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
Salary data for Butte 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