Nursing Assistant salary in Missouri
Nursing Assistants in Missouri earn a median of $37,680 a year ($18.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 34,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,260 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $42,260. Missouri ranks 42nd of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 12 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| 25th percentile | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Median | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Average (mean) | $38,410 | $18.47 |
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 | $3,140 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,570 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,449.23 |
| Weekly | $724.62 |
| Hourly | $18.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Missouri
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,840 | $19.16 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,070 | $31.77 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,820 | $18.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Missouri is $37,680 a year, or $18.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Missouri?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Missouri earn at least $45,260 a year. The top 25% earn $41,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,350 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $35,400 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Missouri?
About 34,050 nursing assistants are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.