Nursing Assistant Salary in St. Louis, MO
Nursing Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $39,110 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,704 take-home, or $2,725 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,513
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,425
- Medicare (1.45%)$567
- Missouri income tax$901
- Take-home pay$32,704
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,300 | $16.97 | $29,822 | $2,485 |
| 25th percentile | $37,180 | $17.88 | $31,244 | $2,604 |
| Median (50th) | $39,110 | $18.80 | $32,704 | $2,725 |
| 75th percentile | $44,630 | $21.46 | $36,880 | $3,073 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,890 | $22.54 | $38,590 | $3,216 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,110 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $32,704 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,393 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are about as common in St. Louis, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #65 of 113 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $47,240 | $40,137 | $39,999 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | $36,468 | $39,768 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $43,954 | $39,551 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $45,097 | $39,007 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,690 | $37,663 | $38,853 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $43,980 | $36,168 | $38,659 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,619 | $38,536 |
| 65 | St. Louis, MO | $39,110 | $32,704 | $34,393 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 113 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $39,710
- Springfield, MO — $36,180
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in St. Louis, MO?
The median nursing assistant salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $39,110 a year, or about $18.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,180 and $44,630.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $39,110 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $32,704 a year ($2,725 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $901 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,393 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #65 of 113 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Dental Assistant — $48,120
- Medical Assistant — $44,710
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,490