CNA Salary

Charlotte vs Leland: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$41,993
$20.19/hr
Leland, NC
$38,115
$18.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCLeland, NC
Median Salary$41,993$38,115
Hourly Rate$20.19$18.33
Entry Level (P10)$35,922$33,549
25th Percentile$39,927$35,082
75th Percentile$49,256$42,319
Top Earner (P90)$52,238$44,158
Total Employed13,5806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($41,993) and Leland ($38,115) certified nursing assistant salaries.CharlotteLelandMedian Salary$41,993$38,115Entry Level (P10)$35,922$33,549Top Earner (P90)$52,238$44,158US Median $45,007

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Leland is $3,878 (10.17%). 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 Charlotte spans $16,316,Leland spans $10,609. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$35,922
P25$39,927
Median$41,993
P75$49,256
P90 (Top)$52,238
Leland
P10 (Entry)$33,549
P25$35,082
Median$38,115
P75$42,319
P90 (Top)$44,158

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($43,137 effective) pays 5.93% more than Leland ($40,721 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $41,993
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $43,137
Leland
Nominal: $38,115
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $40,721

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Leland if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Charlotte grew 45.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Leland over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+45.5%

$27,100 (2019) → $39,430 (2025)

Leland, NC

+24.8%

$28,683 (2024) → $35,789 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Charlotte has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,993/year, compared to Leland at $38,115/year — a difference of $3,878 (10.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Leland?

Charlotte certified nursing assistants earn $20.19/hr while Leland hygienists earn $18.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Leland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $43,137, Leland = $40,721), job availability (13,580 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $35,922 in Charlotte and $33,549 in Leland. 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