CNA Salary

Roanoke vs Williamsburg: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Roanoke, VA and Williamsburg, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roanoke, VA
$41,492
$19.95/hr
Williamsburg, VA
$40,310
$19.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VAWilliamsburg, VA
Median Salary$41,492$40,310
Hourly Rate$19.95$19.38
Entry Level (P10)$37,573$33,390
25th Percentile$38,766$35,582
75th Percentile$47,073$42,531
Top Earner (P90)$49,384$48,083
Total Employed2,4305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($41,492) and Williamsburg ($40,310) certified nursing assistant salaries.RoanokeWilliamsburgMedian Salary$41,492$40,310Entry Level (P10)$37,573$33,390Top Earner (P90)$49,384$48,083US Median $45,007

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsburg.

The salary gap between Roanoke and Williamsburg is $1,182 (2.93%). Roanoke's median is -7.81% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $11,811,Williamsburg spans $14,693. Williamsburg has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$37,573
P25$38,766
Median$41,492
P75$47,073
P90 (Top)$49,384
Williamsburg
P10 (Entry)$33,390
P25$35,582
Median$40,310
P75$42,531
P90 (Top)$48,083

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($44,321 effective) pays 13.47% more than Williamsburg ($39,060 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $41,492
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $44,321
Williamsburg
Nominal: $40,310
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $39,060

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,492/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,384)
  • Larger job market (2,430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,321)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Roanoke grew 52.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.7% growth in Williamsburg over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+52.1%

$25,620 (2019) → $38,960 (2025)

Williamsburg, VA

+10.7%

$34,204 (2024) → $37,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Roanoke or Williamsburg?

Roanoke has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $41,492/year, compared to Williamsburg at $40,310/year — a difference of $1,182 (2.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Williamsburg?

Roanoke certified nursing assistants earn $19.95/hr while Williamsburg hygienists earn $19.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Williamsburg as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Williamsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $44,321, Williamsburg = $39,060), job availability (2,430 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Roanoke vs Williamsburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $37,573 in Roanoke and $33,390 in Williamsburg. The Roanoke area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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