Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbia, MO
Nursing Assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median $41,290 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,353 take-home, or $2,863 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Columbia, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,775
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,560
- Medicare (1.45%)$599
- Missouri income tax$1,003
- Take-home pay$34,353
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Columbia, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,260 | $15.51 | $27,522 | $2,294 |
| 25th percentile | $35,930 | $17.27 | $30,298 | $2,525 |
| Median (50th) | $41,290 | $19.85 | $34,353 | $2,863 |
| 75th percentile | $41,290 | $19.85 | $34,353 | $2,863 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,530 | $22.85 | $39,074 | $3,256 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,290 buys in Columbia, MO
Prices in Columbia, MO are 10.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 31% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $34,353 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,410 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbia, MO has 2.0× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Columbia, MO ranks #51 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 51 | Columbia, MO | $41,290 | $34,353 | $38,410 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- Cape Girardeau, MO — $36,650
- Kansas City, MO — $39,710
- St. Joseph, MO — $35,900
- Jefferson City, MO — $36,080
- Springfield, MO — $36,180
- St. Louis, MO — $39,110
- Joplin, MO — $34,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Columbia, MO?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Columbia, MO metro area is $41,290 a year, or about $19.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,930 and $41,290.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Columbia, MO?
On the median $41,290 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $34,353 a year ($2,863 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,003 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Columbia, MO a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 10.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,410 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbia, MO ranks #51 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Columbia, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbia, MO is $978 a month ($1,138 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,860