Nursing Assistant salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Nursing Assistants in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $34,600 a year ($16.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,550 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 8% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $37,680. There are 14 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| 25th percentile | $32,350 | $15.55 |
| Median | $34,600 | $16.64 |
| 75th percentile | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,550 | $19.49 |
| Average (mean) | $35,350 | $17.00 |
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 | $2,883.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,441.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,330.77 |
| Weekly | $665.38 |
| Hourly | $16.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO | $41,290 | 2,040 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $39,710 | 13,370 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,110 | 14,620 |
| Topeka, KS | $38,720 | 2,270 |
| Lawrence, KS | $38,520 | 540 |
| Wichita, KS | $37,290 | 5,220 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,650 | 680 |
| Springfield, MO | $36,180 | 3,150 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $36,080 | 630 |
| Manhattan, KS | $36,080 | 840 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $35,900 | 620 |
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 Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Dental Assistant | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Phlebotomist | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $33,800 | $16.25 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
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 Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $34,600 a year, or $16.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $40,550 a year. The top 25% earn $37,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,080 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $32,350 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 1,180 nursing assistants are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.