Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in North Carolina: $41,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $41,547/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,388 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chapel Hill ($40,899), Durham ($40,560), Asheville ($40,170).
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in North Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $41,547, which is approximately 7.7% lower than the national median of $45,007. Salary variation exists among cities, with Chapel Hill leading at $43,557, while Leland has the lowest at $38,115, highlighting a $5,442 difference. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local healthcare demands, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. In North Carolina, CNAs must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can influence employment opportunities and wages. The state's healthcare sector is driven by a growing aging population and increased demand for healthcare services, contributing to a strong job market. In fact, the projected annual compound growth rate for CNA positions in North Carolina is 6.50%, reflecting a steady demand for these professionals. Among the top cities for CNAs in 2026, besides Chapel Hill, are Durham at $43,196, Asheville at $42,781, Concord at $42,680, and Winston-Salem at $42,538, indicating a healthy support system for this vital healthcare role in various communities across the state.
North Carolina Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $29,394 (lowest entry-level) to $55,468 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina certified nursing assistants earn 7.69% less than the national median ($-3,460/year difference).
North Carolina Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in North Carolina range from $34,131 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $50,265 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,547. The North Carolina median is $3,460 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $19.98/hr. Approximately 50,574 certified nursing assistants are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,922
2025 BLS Actual
$39,011
2026 Current Est.
$41,547
2019–2027 Growth
+64.4%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,922 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,246 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,683 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,526 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,011 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 44.9% from $26,922 (2019) to $39,011 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,326 (64.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $38,115 |
| Jacksonville | $38,212 |
| Carrboro | $38,686 |
| Indian Trail | $38,837 |
| Boone | $39,177 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $42,046 | 88.402 | $47,562 |
| Chapel Hill | $43,557 | 93.6 | $46,535 |
| Goldsboro | $41,045 | 88.462 | $46,398 |
| Concord | $42,680 | 93.6 | $45,598 |
| Rocky Mount | $40,097 | 88.012 | $45,559 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,131 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,547 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $50,265 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapel Hill | $43,557 |
| 2 | Durham | $43,196 |
| 3 | Asheville | $42,781 |
| 4 | Concord | $42,680 |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $42,538 |
| 6 | Raleigh | $42,291 |
| 7 | Cary | $42,090 |
| 8 | Greenville | $42,046 |
| 9 | Charlotte | $41,993 |
| 10 | Burlington | $41,631 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $41,485 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $41,420 |
| 13 | Apex | $41,322 |
| 14 | Winston | $41,173 |
| 15 | Gastonia | $41,097 |
| 16 | Goldsboro | $41,045 |
| 17 | Greensboro | $40,747 |
| 18 | Statesville | $40,704 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $40,669 |
| 20 | Matthews | $40,573 |
| 21 | Cornelius | $40,503 |
| 22 | Sanford | $40,468 |
| 23 | Wake Forest | $40,467 |
| 24 | Morrisville | $40,449 |
| 25 | Fuquay-Varina | $40,341 |
| 26 | Salisbury | $40,335 |
| 27 | Thomasville | $40,268 |
| 28 | New Bern | $40,252 |
| 29 | Mint Hill | $40,242 |
| 30 | Wilmington | $40,161 |
| 31 | High Point | $40,120 |
| 32 | Rocky Mount | $40,097 |
| 33 | Fayetteville | $39,969 |
| 34 | Hickory | $39,863 |
| 35 | Holly Springs | $39,605 |
| 36 | Mooresville | $39,481 |
| 37 | Monroe | $39,465 |
| 38 | Garner | $39,376 |
| 39 | Wilson | $39,347 |
| 40 | Pinehurst | $39,330 |
| 41 | Boone | $39,177 |
| 42 | Indian Trail | $38,837 |
| 43 | Carrboro | $38,686 |
| 44 | Jacksonville | $38,212 |
| 45 | Leland | $38,115 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in North Carolina?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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