CNA Salary

Carrboro vs Charlotte: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Carrboro, NC
$38,686
$18.59/hr
Charlotte, NC
$41,993
$20.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrboro, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$38,686$41,993
Hourly Rate$18.59$20.19
Entry Level (P10)$31,564$35,922
25th Percentile$36,317$39,927
75th Percentile$41,368$49,256
Top Earner (P90)$43,586$52,238
Total Employed613,580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrboro ($38,686) and Charlotte ($41,993) certified nursing assistant salaries.CarrboroCharlotteMedian Salary$38,686$41,993Entry Level (P10)$31,564$35,922Top Earner (P90)$43,586$52,238US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Carrboro and Charlotte is $3,307 (8.55%). Charlotte's median is -6.70% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrboro spans $12,022,Charlotte spans $16,316. Charlotte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Carrboro
P10 (Entry)$31,564
P25$36,317
Median$38,686
P75$41,368
P90 (Top)$43,586
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$35,922
P25$39,927
Median$41,993
P75$49,256
P90 (Top)$52,238

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($43,137 effective) pays 4.37% more than Carrboro ($41,331 effective).

Carrboro
Nominal: $38,686
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $41,331
Charlotte
Nominal: $41,993
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $43,137

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrboro if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,993/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,238)
  • Larger job market (13,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,137)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Carrboro grew 24.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.5% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Carrboro, NC

+24.8%

$29,113 (2024) → $36,325 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+45.5%

$27,100 (2019) → $39,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Carrboro or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,993/year, compared to Carrboro at $38,686/year — a difference of $3,307 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrboro and Charlotte?

Carrboro certified nursing assistants earn $18.59/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $20.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrboro to Charlotte as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrboro and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrboro = $41,331, Charlotte = $43,137), job availability (6 vs 13,580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Carrboro vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $31,564 in Carrboro and $35,922 in Charlotte. The Charlotte 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