MO · Independence · Updated October 15, 2026

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Independence, MO

The median certified nursing assistant pay in the Independence area is $18.81 per hour ($39,130 a year), with the typical range running from $17.75 to $21.62. That ranks 148th of 380 U.S. metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay, and 114th of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Independence. The free report below lists employers near Independence and what they pay.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in Independence, MO

The metro median is 5% above the Missouri statewide median of $17.87 per hour. Nationally the median is $19.01 per hour. BLS counts about 13,040 nursing assistants employed in the Kansas City metro area, 11.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.32).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.17$35,71010% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$17.75$36,9207% below U.S. median
Median$18.81$39,1301% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$21.62$44,97014% above U.S. median
Top 10%$23.03$47,90021% above U.S. median

How Independence ranks

  • 148th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 114th of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 8 Missouri metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Independence

  • Overall prices in Kansas City run 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.6).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $18.81 median hour buys what $20.33 buys at the national price level, 7% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Independence, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Independence paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$677
  • Per year: $33,858
  • Per month: $2,822

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Kansas City metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Independence

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$135
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,505
13-week assignment$19,565

Travel certified nursing assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Missouri

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Independence as they open.

PermanentPosted 6 days ago

Nursing Assistant (NA)

Select Medical · Lake Saint Louis, MO

$20.00–$25.37/ hour
  • OTHER
  • Req 386648
New this week
View role

All Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Missouri

Hospitals in Independence

CMS lists 1 hospital in Independence, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of certified nursing assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Centerpoint Medical Center
Independence, MO
Acute careFor-profit3 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Jackson County

HRSA lists 9 active primary care shortage designations that include Jackson County (5 population-group, 4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 22 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Blue Springs, MO7 mi$18.81/hr61,246
Kansas City, MO11 mi$18.81/hr516,032
Lawrence, KS50 mi$18.03/hr97,271
St. Joseph, MO53 mi$17.49/hr71,098
Topeka, KS72 mi$17.80/hr125,467
Columbia, MO109 mi$19.29/hr130,900

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Missouri · Certified Nursing Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Missouri

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Missouri state guide

Other healthcare roles in Independence

Independence city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Independence, MO?

Certified Nursing Assistants in the Kansas City metro area have a median pay of $18.81 per hour, about $39,130 a year. The middle half earn between $17.75 and $21.62 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Independence a good place for certified nursing assistants once cost of living is counted?

Kansas City ranks 114th of 341 metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 148th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.

Where do certified nursing assistants work in Independence?

CMS lists 1 hospital in Independence, led by Centerpoint Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Missouri license to work in Independence as a certified nursing assistant?

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Independence in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 9 active primary care shortage designations that include Jackson County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Independence?

The federal per diem benchmark in Independence is $135 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,505 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place certified nursing assistants in Independence?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Independence and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Independence.

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What do employers near Independence pay certified nursing assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · CNA near Independence, MO
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your CNA pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Missouri list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Select MedicalSaint Charles, MO · 5 postings$21.09/ hr$17–$25
  • National Healthcare CorporationSt. Charles, MO · 1 wage offer$17.48/ hr$17–$17
  • CommonSpirit HealthBURIEN, WA · 7 postings$31.52/ hr$23–$41
  • Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 6 postings$28.75/ hr$21–$34

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Missouri list

2What they are offering now

Low$17Median$21.09High$25

6 CNA postings with published pay in Missouri, 6 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 6 CNA roles

  1. Nursing Assistant (NA)Permanent
    $20.00–$25.37/ hour
    Select Medical · Lake Saint Louis, MO · posted 6 days ago
  2. Nursing Assistant (NA) DayPermanent
    $19.00–$24.10/ hour
    Select Medical · St. Louis, MO · posted 6 days ago

+ 4 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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