Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Hilton Head Island, SC: $19.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Hilton Head Island, SC runs $19.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,182 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Hilton Head Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.0, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,110 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay is projected to be $19.32 in 2026, a figure that lags behind the national hourly median of $21.64. This hourly rate provides an interesting opportunity for part-time workers and per-diem certified nursing assistants. For those working three days a week, this rate equates to making a significant contribution in various healthcare settings, such as assisted living apartments, skilled nursing facilities, or home visits. Entry-level CNAs may start at around $17.37, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $23.60 per hour, reflecting the wide range of wages available within this field according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.37 | $138.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.58 | $148.67 |
| Median (P50) | $19.32 | $154.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.16 | $169.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.60 | $188.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hilton Head Island
Based on $19.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.32/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hilton Head Island, SC can expect to earn approximately $40,184 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,183. With a cost-of-living index of 98.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hilton Head Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hilton Head Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $772.76 | $3,349 | $40,184 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $463.66 | $2,009 | $24,110 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $309.11 | $1,339 | $16,073 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Hilton Head Island) | $19.32 |
| 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 Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $40,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.72% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.10% above the South Carolina state average of $39,745.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.32/hr = $24,110/year (purchasing power: $24,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,184/year (purchasing power: $40,997).
CoL index: 98.017 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Hilton Head Island grew 29.3% from $14.03/hr (2019) to $18.14/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.57/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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island
Considering the earning potential, a part-time certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week at the projected hourly wage takes home approximately $24,006 annually, significantly less than a full-time worker. The flexibility of per diem work can result in higher rates; agency CNAs can command between $22 and $32 per hour, especially during peak demand times. Weekend-only contracts may offer premiums up to $30-$45 per hour. Hourly rates can vary widely based on employer type—skilled nursing facilities typically pay differently compared to hospitals or hospice care settings. For those seeking to maximize earnings, it's vital to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of lower hourly rates with health insurance against higher pay without benefits. Negotiation is key in this context; expressing willingness to work preferred shifts or weekends can sometimes unlock better rates for certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Hilton Head Island.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Hilton Head Island in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Hilton Head Island?
Are certified nursing assistants in Hilton Head Island paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Hilton Head Island?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Hilton Head Island?
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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 Hilton Head Island. 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