Maria Delgado, RN
June 23, 2025
Missouri healthcare relies on Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) as vital members of its workforce. The support work of CNAs enables nurses to deliver essential care to patients through assistance with bathing and dressing along with feeding and movement support. The workforce of CNAs operates within different healthcare settings which include hospitals together with nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and private home care.
Sedalia, MO - Public 2-Year - sfccmo.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
State Fair Community College's Nurse Aide program provides flexible healthcare career pathways with stackable certificates and an associate degree. Students can quickly enter the workforce with a Skills Certificate or advance through Professional Certificate and AAS options. The program prepares students for Certified Nurse Assistant and Certified Medication Technician exams, with growing job demand and competitive entry-level salaries.
Hillsboro, MO - Public 2-Year - jeffco.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Jefferson College's Bi-level Nursing Program provides comprehensive pathways for aspiring healthcare professionals. Students start with a Level I/PN Certificate, enabling efficient progression to a Level II/RN Associate of Applied Science degree. The structured approach ensures graduates meet critical licensure requirements while offering multiple entry points into nursing careers. With strong job market projections and transfer opportunities to bachelor's programs, students can launch promising healthcare careers with flexible, quality education.
Students in Missouri can enroll in online or hybrid CNA programs for classroom education because these programs allow flexibility for students who need to balance work and family responsibilities. Students can finish their necessary 75 theoretical classroom hours through online study which includes video lessons, interactive educational materials, and required readings. Students must participate in 100 hours of hands-on clinical training at facilities that Missouri has approved. Students need to experience essential hands-on training under supervision. More and more community colleges and healthcare organizations provide hybrid programs for CNA education.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| State Fair Community College |
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| Jefferson College |
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| Eligibility Prerequisites | Complete a DHSS-approved CNA program (or meet challenge criteria), submit the TMU test request, and clear fingerprint background and health checks |
|---|---|
| Certifying Board | Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Health Education Unit – Nurse Aide Registry |
| Training Program Requirements | 175 total hours (75 classroom instruction, 100 supervised clinical practice) |
| Exam and Application Fees | $125 exam fee ($95 knowledge, $30 skills), no additional state fee |
| Certification Exam | Pass a written/oral knowledge test plus a five-skill practicum within one year of training start |
| Registry Activation Time | Results sent electronically, certification instantly active in TMU for card printing |
| Renewal Requirements | Every 24 months, log eight hours of paid CNA work in TMU and pay a $20 renewal fee |
| License by Endorsement | Out-of-state CNAs submit the reciprocity form and, once approved, print their Missouri certificate without retesting |
The entry-level healthcare position of Certified Nursing Assistant in Missouri provides its employees with satisfactory compensation. Full-time Certified Nursing Assistants in Missouri receive between $35,000 to $40,000 annually while their hourly rate falls between $17 and $19. The urban locations of St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield provide higher wages because they have higher living expenses and greater workforce needs. CNAs receive extra pay from shift work adjustments along with overtime hours. CNA positions in Missouri have excellent employment prospects particularly in facilities that provide long-term care and home healthcare services.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Missouri | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual CNA Salary | $32,500 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $15.62 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$38,700 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $32,500 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$27,200 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~4% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~9,300 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| State Fair Community College |
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| Jefferson College |
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CNA certification in Missouri provides employees with various professional development possibilities after starting their career. After working as a CNA most individuals choose to become Certified Medication Technicians or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs). Nursing students who have experience as CNAs develop superior clinical abilities and patient communication skills which benefits them during their nursing school education. Health care facilities across Missouri provide financial assistance for CNAs who want to continue their education through tuition reimbursement programs and scholarship opportunities. LPN-to-RN bridge programs together with associate degree nursing programs serve as accessible paths for continued education. CNAs can acquire specialized training in dementia care and phlebotomy after their initial certification. The available career advancement options create paths toward better compensation levels and greater job responsibilities while improving professional contentment. The healthcare system of Missouri supports career development through education and professional growth for both CNA personnel and nurses who aim to advance their nursing career.
Additional Nursing Programs in Missouri
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