CNA Salary

Boone vs Winston: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Boone, NC and Winston, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boone, NC
$39,177
$18.84/hr
Winston, NC
$41,173
$19.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoone, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$39,177$41,173
Hourly Rate$18.84$19.80
Entry Level (P10)$32,942$34,623
25th Percentile$34,969$39,192
75th Percentile$41,667$45,018
Top Earner (P90)$43,632$48,596
Total Employed64,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boone ($39,177) and Winston ($41,173) certified nursing assistant salaries.BooneWinstonMedian Salary$39,177$41,173Entry Level (P10)$32,942$34,623Top Earner (P90)$43,632$48,596US Median $45,007

Verdict

Winston, NC offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Boone.

The salary gap between Boone and Winston is $1,996 (5.09%). Winston's median is -8.52% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boone spans $10,690,Winston spans $13,973. Winston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Boone
P10 (Entry)$32,942
P25$34,969
Median$39,177
P75$41,667
P90 (Top)$43,632
Winston
P10 (Entry)$34,623
P25$39,192
Median$41,173
P75$45,018
P90 (Top)$48,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winston ($44,732 effective) pays 6.87% more than Boone ($41,856 effective).

Boone
Nominal: $39,177
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $41,856
Winston
Nominal: $41,173
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $44,732

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boone if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,173/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($48,596)
  • Larger job market (4,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,732)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Boone grew 24.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.5% growth in Winston over the same period.

Boone, NC

+24.8%

$29,482 (2024) → $36,786 (2025)

Winston, NC

+38.5%

$27,920 (2019) → $38,660 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Boone or Winston?

Winston has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,173/year, compared to Boone at $39,177/year — a difference of $1,996 (5.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boone and Winston?

Boone certified nursing assistants earn $18.84/hr while Winston hygienists earn $19.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boone to Winston as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boone and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boone = $41,856, Winston = $44,732), job availability (6 vs 4,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Boone vs Winston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $32,942 in Boone and $34,623 in Winston. The Winston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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