How Much Does a CNA Make in Missouri in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Missouri, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Missouri · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Missouri earns about $18.11 per hour ($37,680 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 11% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour, and Missouri ranks 42nd out of 51 states for CNA pay.
Missouri employs about 34,050 certified nursing assistants, a workforce large enough to support steady demand across hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies statewide.
How much does a CNA make in Missouri?
CNA pay by career stage in Missouri
| Career stage | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,350$15.07 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $35,400$17.02 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $37,680$18.11 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $41,600$20.00 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $45,260$21.76 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 Missouri
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Missouri · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Missouri's typical CNA pay has climbed from $23,000 in 2015 to $37,680 in 2025, a 64% rise over the decade. That matches the national increase over the same span, also 64%.
Pay has moved up steadily nearly every year since 2015, including a sharp jump between 2022 and 2023. Nothing is guaranteed for someone starting today, but the decade-long trend has been upward.
CNA salary by city in Missouri
Pay runs highest in Columbia, where CNAs typically earn $41,290 a year ($19.85 an hour), covering the full Columbia metro area. Kansas City and St. Louis follow close behind, at $39,710 and $39,110.
Joplin sits at the other end, with typical pay near $34,600, a gap of $6,690 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Cities with a higher cost of living tend to pay more to match local expenses.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Missouri | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $41,290 | $19.85 | +10% | 2,040 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $39,710 | $19.09 | +5% | 13,370 |
| 3 | St. Louis | $39,110 | $18.81 | +4% | 14,620 |
| 4 | Cape Girardeau | $36,650 | $17.62 | -3% | 680 |
| 5 | Springfield | $36,180 | $17.39 | -4% | 3,150 |
| 6 | Jefferson City | $36,080 | $17.35 | -4% | 630 |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $35,900 | $17.26 | -5% | 620 |
| 8 | Joplin | $34,600 | $16.64 | -8% | 1,180 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Missouri typical pay $37,680
How Missouri compares with nearby states
Among Missouri's neighbors, Illinois pays CNAs the most, with typical pay running 22% higher than Missouri's. Nebraska and Iowa also pay more, by 6% and 4%. Arkansas and Oklahoma pay less, by 9% and 5%. A CNA licensed in Missouri can often test or transfer into a nearby state, so it helps to know how pay compares across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $37,680 | baseline |
| Illinois | $45,960 | +22% |
| Nebraska | $40,000 | +6% |
| Iowa | $39,350 | +4% |
| Kentucky | $38,370 | +2% |
| Kansas | $38,010 | +1% |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | +1% |
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | -5% |
| Arkansas | $34,430 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Missouri a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Missouri earn less than in most states: typical pay is $37,680 a year, 11% below the national figure, ranking 41st of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Missouri, about 12 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. 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 Missouri's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Missouri's typical CNA pay now sits at $18.11 an hour ($37,680 a year), up 64% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, check Missouri's state registry page for CNA requirements. For local figures, the city pages for Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis, and other Missouri metro areas break down pay by location.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Missouri?
- A CNA in Missouri typically earns **$18.11 per hour**, or about **$37,680 per year**, based on 2025 wage data. That is roughly 11% below the national figure of $42,260 a year. Pay varies by city, with Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis running higher than the state figure.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Missouri?
- Typical hourly pay for a Missouri CNA is **$18.11**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $15.07 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $21.76 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Missouri?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Missouri typically offer around **$15.07 an hour**, or about **$31,350 a year**. As experience builds, pay moves toward the state's typical rate of $18.11 an hour, and experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $21.76 an hour.
- Which city in Missouri pays CNAs the most?
- Columbia pays Missouri CNAs the most, with typical pay of **$41,290 a year** ($19.85 an hour), covering the full Columbia metro area. Kansas City and St. Louis follow close behind, both paying above $39,000 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Missouri higher than the national rate?
- No. Missouri's typical CNA pay of $18.11 an hour ($37,680 a year) runs about **11% below** the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). Missouri ranks 42nd out of 51 states for CNA pay, and lower pay often tracks lower living costs.