Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Kernersville, NC: $19.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Kernersville, NC runs $19.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,669 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Kernersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,403 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kernersville, North Carolina, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $19.55 in 2026. This figure is below the national median hourly rate of $21.64, which highlights a competitive gap in compensation within the profession. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly pay translates into a significant income, providing a viable option for individuals seeking work-life balance. Per-diem work, another common arrangement in this field, often allows CNAs to choose their own hours in diverse settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice homes. The hourly pay range for certified nursing assistants in Kernersville extends from about $16.15 for entry-level positions to $23.44 for the most experienced, offering a pathway to financial growth as skills and experience increase.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.15 | $129.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.33 | $138.62 |
| Median (P50) | $19.55 | $156.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.67 | $173.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.44 | $187.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kernersville
Based on $19.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.55/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kernersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $40,671 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,464. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kernersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kernersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $782.14 | $3,389 | $40,671 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $469.28 | $2,034 | $24,403 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $312.85 | $1,356 | $16,268 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Kernersville) | $19.55 |
| 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 Kernersville, NC earn a median of $40,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.64% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $41,039.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.55/hr = $24,403/year (purchasing power: $26,071).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,671/year (purchasing power: $43,452).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Kernersville grew 42.5% from $12.89/hr (2019) to $18.36/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.82/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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville
Those considering the job market for certified nursing assistants in Kernersville will want to examine various employment contexts closely. While part-time CNAs can expect to earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, working just 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate yields approximately $24,000 per year. For per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Kernersville, hourly rates can vary widely, with agency and locum tenens CNAs earning between $22 and $32 per hour, reflecting higher demand and urgency in certain conditions. Weekends tend to feature premium rates, as jobs paying $30-$45 per hour capitalize on staffing shortages. Additionally, those in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and hospice contexts may see different pay scales, as some facilities offer benefits that justify lower hourly pay. Salary negotiations can also play a crucial role; for instance, pursuing positions with benefits might yield lower hourly wages but provide essential health coverage versus going for higher hourly rates that lack such perks, making choices influenced by personal circumstances and long-term career goals.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Kernersville in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Kernersville?
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Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kernersville?
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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 Kernersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kernersville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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