Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $20.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Burlington, NC runs $20.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,631 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,974 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $20.01 per hour, which is slightly below the national median of $21.64 per hour. For those working part-time, perhaps three days a week, this translates to a solid income while allowing flexibility in their schedule. Per-diem positions are also available, catering to CNAs who prefer short-term commitments across various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health. Within Burlington, the hourly rate ranges from $15.60 for entry-level positions to $23.38 for those at the top of their earnings trajectory. The official figures provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflect the realities of this important healthcare role in the region.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.60 | $124.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.01 | $152.08 |
| Median (P50) | $20.01 | $160.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.67 | $173.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.38 | $187.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $20.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.01/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $41,624 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,014. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $800.45 | $3,469 | $41,624 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $480.27 | $2,081 | $24,974 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $320.18 | $1,387 | $16,649 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Burlington) | $20.01 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington, NC earn a median of $41,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.40% above the North Carolina state average of $41,056.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.01/hr = $24,974/year (purchasing power: $26,797).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,624/year (purchasing power: $44,662).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+78.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Burlington grew 57.5% from $11.93/hr (2019) to $18.79/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Burlington
For part-time certified nursing assistants in Burlington, a 24-hour workweek translates to approximately $24,979 annually, significantly lower than a full-time salary. Many CNAs consider per diem work, where agency rates range from $22 to $32 per hour; premium weekend contracts can provide even higher pay, averaging $30 to $45 per hour in markets experiencing shortages. Employers in Burlington, such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, may offer differing pay rates that reflect both the level of care required and patient needs. While some CNAs opt for positions that offer lower hourly pay but include health insurance benefits, others seek higher pay with no additional perks. Understanding the specifics of per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Burlington can enhance negotiating power for prospective employees, enabling them to make informed decisions that align with their financial goals and lifestyle.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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