Nursing Assistant salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Nursing Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $39,110 a year ($18.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,890 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 4% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $37,680. There are 11 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| 25th percentile | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Median | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| 75th percentile | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Average (mean) | $40,720 | $19.58 |
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 | $3,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,629.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,504.23 |
| Weekly | $752.12 |
| Hourly | $18.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $46,940 | 45,850 |
| Bloomington, IL | $43,180 | 950 |
| Peoria, IL | $43,040 | 2,740 |
| Decatur, IL | $41,990 | 600 |
| Columbia, MO | $41,290 | 2,040 |
| Rockford, IL | $40,140 | 2,120 |
| Springfield, IL | $40,070 | 1,120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,890 | 1,560 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $39,710 | 13,370 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $38,740 | 2,220 |
| Kankakee, IL | $37,900 | 860 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,860 | 710 |
| 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 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $38,600 | $18.56 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $39,110 a year, or $18.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $46,890 a year. The top 25% earn $44,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,300 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $37,180 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 14,620 nursing assistants are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.