How Much Does a CNA Make in Kansas in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Kansas, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kansas · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Kansas earns about $18.27 per hour ($38,010 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's about 10% below the national figure of $20.32 per hour ($42,260 per year), and Kansas ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay.
Around 24,610 CNAs work across the state, providing hands-on care in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings statewide.
How much does a CNA make in Kansas?
CNA pay by career stage in Kansas
| Career stage | Kansas | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $32,180$15.47 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,210$17.41 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,010$18.27 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,170$21.24 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,980$22.59 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Kansas
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Kansas · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, Kansas CNAs earned $23,320 a year. By 2025, that figure had climbed to $38,010, a 63% rise over the decade. The national rise over the same period was slightly higher, at 64%.
Pay has moved upward every year since 2015, without a single decline. For someone starting a CNA career in Kansas now, that steady decade of gains is worth noting, though future pay is never guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in Kansas
Pay varies modestly across Kansas metro areas. Topeka leads the state, with CNAs there earning about $38,720 a year ($18.62 an hour). Lawrence follows closely at $38,520, while Wichita, the state's largest employer of CNAs with 5,220 workers, pays $37,290. Manhattan pays the least among the four metro areas tracked, at $36,080.
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying metro area is $2,640 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and higher pay in a given metro often lines up with a higher cost of living there.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Kansas | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Topeka | $38,720 | $18.62 | +2% | 2,270 |
| 2 | Lawrence | $38,520 | $18.52 | +1% | 540 |
| 3 | Wichita | $37,290 | $17.93 | -2% | 5,220 |
| 4 | Manhattan | $36,080 | $17.35 | -5% | 840 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Kansas typical pay $38,010
How Kansas compares with nearby states
Among Kansas's neighbors, Colorado pays CNAs the most, at $47,380 a year, 25% higher than Kansas. Nebraska also pays more, at $40,000. Missouri sits close to Kansas at $37,680, and Oklahoma pays less, at $35,930. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | $38,010 | baseline |
| Colorado | $47,380 | +25% |
| Nebraska | $40,000 | +5% |
| Missouri | $37,680 | -1% |
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | -5% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Kansas a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Kansas sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $38,010 a year, 10% below the national figure, ranking 39th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Kansas, about 17 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Kansas's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Kansas CNAs typically earn $38,010 a year ($18.27 an hour), a figure that has risen 63% since 2015 according to government wage data. Anyone pursuing certification can check the Kansas CNA registry page for requirements, and the city pages for Topeka, Wichita, Lawrence, and Manhattan for local pay figures.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Kansas?
- A CNA in Kansas typically earns **$18.27 an hour**, or about **$38,010 a year**, per the latest wage data. Pay varies by city and experience level, ranging from around $32,180 for entry-level roles to $46,980 for experienced CNAs.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Kansas?
- Kansas CNAs typically earn **$18.27 an hour**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $15.47 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $22.59 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Kansas?
- Entry-level CNAs in Kansas typically start around **$15.47 an hour**, or about **$32,180 a year**. As CNAs gain experience, pay climbs toward the state's typical rate of $18.27 an hour and beyond.
- Which city in Kansas pays CNAs the most?
- **Topeka** pays CNAs the most among Kansas metro areas, at about **$38,720 a year** ($18.62 an hour). Lawrence is close behind at $38,520. Wichita and Manhattan pay somewhat less, at $37,290 and $36,080.
- Is CNA pay in Kansas higher than the national rate?
- No. Kansas CNAs typically earn **$38,010 a year**, about **10% below** the national figure of $42,260. Lower pay in Kansas generally tracks the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states.