CNA Salary

Charleston vs Fort Mill: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Charleston, SC
$41,333
$19.87/hr
Fort Mill, SC
$38,246
$18.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCFort Mill, SC
Median Salary$41,333$38,246
Hourly Rate$19.87$18.39
Entry Level (P10)$37,882$32,758
25th Percentile$39,778$34,544
75th Percentile$46,903$41,845
Top Earner (P90)$50,023$44,620
Total Employed2,8005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($41,333) and Fort Mill ($38,246) certified nursing assistant salaries.CharlestonFort MillMedian Salary$41,333$38,246Entry Level (P10)$37,882$32,758Top Earner (P90)$50,023$44,620US Median $45,007

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Mill.

The salary gap between Charleston and Fort Mill is $3,087 (8.07%). Charleston's median is -8.16% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $12,141,Fort Mill spans $11,862. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$37,882
P25$39,778
Median$41,333
P75$46,903
P90 (Top)$50,023
Fort Mill
P10 (Entry)$32,758
P25$34,544
Median$38,246
P75$41,845
P90 (Top)$44,620

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Mill ($41,799 effective) pays 2.10% more than Charleston ($40,939 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $41,333
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $40,939
Fort Mill
Nominal: $38,246
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $41,799

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,333/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,023)
  • Larger job market (2,800 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Mill if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,799)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Charleston grew 33.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.5% growth in Fort Mill over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+33.1%

$29,160 (2019) → $38,810 (2025)

Fort Mill, SC

+31.5%

$27,302 (2024) → $35,912 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Charleston or Fort Mill?

Charleston has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,333/year, compared to Fort Mill at $38,246/year — a difference of $3,087 (8.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Fort Mill?

Charleston certified nursing assistants earn $19.87/hr while Fort Mill hygienists earn $18.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Fort Mill as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Fort Mill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $40,939, Fort Mill = $41,799), job availability (2,800 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Charleston vs Fort Mill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,882 in Charleston and $32,758 in Fort Mill. The Charleston 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