Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $19.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Greenville, SC runs $19.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,639 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,791 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in Greenville, South Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $19.06, which falls below the national median of $21.64. This median indicates a relatively stable wage for CNAs working in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day workweek, this rate translates to a meaningful income while allowing flexibility in scheduling. The hourly pay for entry-level CNAs starts at around $15.99, while experienced professionals can earn up to $22.44 per hour. This range is reflective of the current demand for CNAs, especially with the ongoing recovery of the healthcare sector impacted by COVID-19, and highlights the opportunities available for per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Greenville.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.99 | $127.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.11 | $144.84 |
| Median (P50) | $19.06 | $152.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.63 | $157.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.44 | $179.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $19.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.06/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $39,652 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,876. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $762.54 | $3,304 | $39,652 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $457.52 | $1,983 | $23,791 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $305.02 | $1,322 | $15,861 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Greenville) | $19.06 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $39,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.20% below the South Carolina state average of $39,719.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.06/hr = $23,791/year (purchasing power: $25,511).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,652/year (purchasing power: $42,518).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+72.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Greenville grew 51.7% from $11.80/hr (2019) to $17.90/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.30/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
In a part-time CNA role, working three days a week for 24 hours can yield an estimated annual take-home of roughly $24,000, which contrasts significantly with full-time earnings. For those considering per diem or agency work, the potential pay can range between $22 and $32 per hour, with premium weekend shifts possibly reaching $30 to $45, offering an attractive compensation model in scarcity-driven markets. Additionally, the employer type plays a key role in determining hourly rates; skilled nursing facilities may offer more stable earnings compared to hospitals or home health agencies. Many CNAs must weigh the benefits of slightly lower hourly rates against the value of health insurance and retirement contributions from full-time positions. Negotiation is vital: expressing flexibility with schedule preferences or considering additional responsibilities can be beneficial strategies for securing favorable pay rates in Greenville’s competitive landscape for certified nursing assistants.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
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 Greenville. 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