Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Missoula, MT: $41,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Missoula, MT earns a median $41,056/year (≈ $19.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $42,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Missoula, MT, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $41,056, placing it below the national average of $45,007. This represents a compensation range from $39,639 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $51,951 among those at the top 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a labor market shaped by employment opportunities across various healthcare settings. Generally, certified nursing assistants in skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals may experience different pay scales compared to those in hospital settings, highlighting the structural pay discrepancies within this career.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,639 | $19.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,587 | $19.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,056 | $19.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,375 | $24.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,951 | $24.97 |
Median Salary Position
8.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,312 (2026 est.). At $41,056, the local median is 8.78% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Missoula Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Missoula median: $41,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $41,894 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.78% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Missoula, MT earn a median of $41,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.78% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.00% below the Montana state average of $41,894.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula has a cost of living 3.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.445 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,569 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.69% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,100
2025 BLS Actual
$38,550
2026 Current Est.
$41,056
2019–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 24.0% from $31,100 (2019) to $38,550 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,624 (40.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $39,639 – $40,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,587 – $41,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,056 – $50,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,375 – $51,951 |
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 Missoula
With approximately 440 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Missoula, the local job market remains robust, although the cost of living index is notably lower than the national average, currently at 96.445. This aspect positively influences the take-home purchasing power for CNAs, as daily expenses tend to be more manageable. Those working in hospitals, particularly on medical/surgical floors or in ICUs, often earn higher wages than their counterparts in assisted living or home health agencies, driven by factors such as shift differentials of up to $4/hour for night shifts and additional weekend pay. The variation in earnings results from staffing shortages leading to agency premiums, as well as pay grades determined by patient acuity levels. To maximize their pay, certified nursing assistants in Missoula should consider seeking positions that offer weekend or night shifts, which typically enhance hourly rates, alongside opportunities for advancement into LPN or RN programs.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Missoula, MT in 2026?
Is Missoula, MT a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Missoula?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Missoula?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Missoula?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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 $38,550 for certified nursing assistantsin the Missoula 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