CNA Salary

Bluffton vs Greenville: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Bluffton, SC and Greenville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bluffton, SC
$39,419
$18.95/hr
Greenville, SC
$39,639
$19.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBluffton, SCGreenville, SC
Median Salary$39,419$39,639
Hourly Rate$18.95$19.06
Entry Level (P10)$33,176$33,249
25th Percentile$35,387$37,658
75th Percentile$44,198$40,832
Top Earner (P90)$47,896$46,679
Total Employed63,820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bluffton ($39,419) and Greenville ($39,639) certified nursing assistant salaries.BlufftonGreenvilleMedian Salary$39,419$39,639Entry Level (P10)$33,176$33,249Top Earner (P90)$47,896$46,679US Median $45,007

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bluffton.

The salary gap between Bluffton and Greenville is $220 (0.56%). Greenville's median is -11.93% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bluffton spans $14,720,Greenville spans $13,430. Bluffton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bluffton
P10 (Entry)$33,176
P25$35,387
Median$39,419
P75$44,198
P90 (Top)$47,896
Greenville
P10 (Entry)$33,249
P25$37,658
Median$39,639
P75$40,832
P90 (Top)$46,679

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bluffton ($43,081 effective) pays 1.36% more than Greenville ($42,504 effective).

Bluffton
Nominal: $39,419
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $43,081
Greenville
Nominal: $39,639
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $42,504

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bluffton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($47,896)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,081)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,639/year)
  • Larger job market (3,820 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Bluffton grew 37.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 51.7% growth in Greenville over the same period.

Bluffton, SC

+37.1%

$26,991 (2024) → $37,013 (2025)

Greenville, SC

+51.7%

$24,540 (2019) → $37,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Bluffton or Greenville?

Greenville has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $39,639/year, compared to Bluffton at $39,419/year — a difference of $220 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bluffton and Greenville?

Bluffton certified nursing assistants earn $18.95/hr while Greenville hygienists earn $19.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bluffton to Greenville as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bluffton and Greenville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bluffton = $43,081, Greenville = $42,504), job availability (6 vs 3,820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Bluffton vs Greenville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $33,176 in Bluffton and $33,249 in Greenville. The Greenville area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov