Nursing Assistant salary in Columbia, MO
Nursing Assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $41,290 a year ($19.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,530 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 10% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $37,680. There are 19 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,790, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,260 | $15.51 |
| 25th percentile | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Median | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| 75th percentile | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Average (mean) | $39,790 | $19.13 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,440.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,720.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,588.08 |
| Weekly | $794.04 |
| Hourly | $19.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $39,710 | 13,370 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,110 | 14,620 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,650 | 680 |
| Springfield, MO | $36,180 | 3,150 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $36,080 | 630 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $35,900 | 620 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $34,600 | 1,180 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $33,480 | $16.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $41,020 | $19.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area is $41,290 a year, or $19.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $47,530 a year. The top 25% earn $41,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,260 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $35,930 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Columbia, MO?
About 2,040 nursing assistants are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.