How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in Kansas
Kansas employs approximately 24,610 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,010 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.84x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in Kansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in Kansas
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in Kansas? Kansas requires credentials such as Certified Nursing Aide (CNA), Certified Medication Aide (CMA), Independent Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM-I). The licensing authority is the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - Health Occupations Credentialing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Kansas? Yes. Kansas has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - Health Occupations Credentialing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in Kansas? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Kansas is $38,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,180 and experienced professionals can earn $46,980 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - Health Occupations Credentialing
- Median wage (Kansas): $38,010 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in Kansas
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - Health Occupations Credentialing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in Kansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) | CNAs provide basic patient care under direction of nursing staff. Perform duties such as feed, bathe, dress, groom, or move patients, or change linens. May transfer or transport patients. |
| Certified Medication Aide (CMA) | Certified Medication Aides adminster medications as directed by a physician. |
| Independent Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM-I) | Nurse midwives diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Registered nurses assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. |
| Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) | ARNPs diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Licensed practical nurses care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. |
| Certified Home Health Aide (HHA) | Certified Home Health Aides provide routine individualized healthcare such as changing bandages and dressing wounds, and applying topical medications to the elderly, convalescents, or persons with dis… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in Kansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 13,370 | $39,710 | $42,000 | $36,510 | $48,130 |
| Wichita | 5,220 | $37,290 | $38,080 | $31,840 | $44,930 |
| Topeka | 2,270 | $38,720 | $41,060 | $35,080 | $46,430 |
| Joplin | 1,180 | $34,600 | $35,350 | $31,080 | $40,550 |
| Manhattan | 840 | $36,080 | $38,830 | $31,290 | $46,790 |
| St. Joseph | 620 | $35,900 | $36,550 | $30,090 | $43,550 |
| Lawrence | 540 | $38,520 | $39,390 | $34,830 | $45,730 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in Kansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within Kansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 5,220 | $37,290 |
| Topeka | 2,270 | $38,720 |
| Manhattan | 840 | $36,080 |
| Lawrence | 540 | $38,520 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in Kansas? Kansas currently employs approximately 24,610 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in Kansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - Health Occupations Credentialing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kansas.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in Kansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in Kansas is $38,010, which is $1,520 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services - Health Occupations Credentialing - Licensing Information: http://www.kdheks.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |