Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $20.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Durham, NC runs $20.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,196 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,918 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Durham, North Carolina earns a median hourly pay of $20.77, which is slightly below the national median of $21.64. This wage presents various earning possibilities, especially for those working part-time, as CNAs in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, or home health care might typically engage in three-day work weeks. With hourly rates ranging from $18.86 at the entry level to $25.25 for experienced CNAs, the flexibility may also appeal to per diem workers who seek to balance their professional and personal lives. According to the current projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, these figures reflect the anticipated landscape in 2026, highlighting the opportunities available to CNAs within diverse healthcare settings, including assisted living communities and hospice care.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.86 | $150.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.22 | $161.79 |
| Median (P50) | $20.77 | $166.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.44 | $187.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.25 | $202.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $20.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.77/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $43,196 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,921. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $830.70 | $3,600 | $43,196 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $498.42 | $2,160 | $25,918 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $332.28 | $1,440 | $17,279 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Durham) | $20.77 |
| 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 Durham, NC earn a median of $43,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.20% above the North Carolina state average of $41,061.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.77/hr = $25,918/year (purchasing power: $26,563).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,196/year (purchasing power: $44,271).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Durham grew 37.5% from $14.18/hr (2019) to $19.50/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.12/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 Durham 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 Durham
For a 24-hour work week, a part-time certified nursing assistant in Durham could take home approximately $32,000 annually, creating a different financial reality compared to full-time workers. The growth of per diem contracts has introduced alternative avenues for higher pay, with per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Durham often reaching between $22 and $32 per hour, and urgent weekend shifts sometimes earning even more. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer; for instance, positions in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and home health agencies may offer different compensatory structures and potential benefits. While some CNAs may choose slightly lower-paying positions that offer health insurance and other perks, higher hourly rates without benefits are appealing to workers prioritizing immediate financial gain. For those considering negotiation, emphasizing relevant experience and flexibility in scheduling can significantly enhance compensation, creating a more advantageous position in Durham's healthcare market.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Durham in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Durham?
Are certified nursing assistants in Durham paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Durham?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Durham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Durham. 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