Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cary, NC: $42,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Cary, NC earns a median $42,090/year (≈ $20.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $44,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, those employed as certified nursing assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $42,090 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local pay scale when compared to the national average of $45,007. The salary range for CNAs spans from $34,585 at the bottom 10% to $53,434 for the top earners within the profession. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, the prospects for career advancement through further education, such as the transition from CNA to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), can lead to even higher earnings.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,585 | $16.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,567 | $18.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,090 | $20.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,537 | $22.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,434 | $25.69 |
Median Salary Position
6.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,849 (2026 est.). At $42,090, the local median is 6.48% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Cary median: $42,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,063 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.48% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Cary, NC earn a median of $42,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.48% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.50% above the North Carolina state average of $41,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,090 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,738
2025 BLS Actual
$39,521
2026 Current Est.
$42,090
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,851 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,048 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,521 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,826 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $27,738 (2019) to $39,521 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,826 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,088 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,585 – $37,567 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,567 – $42,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,090 – $46,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,537 – $53,434 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Cary
Analyzing the job market, Cary currently employs 44 certified nursing assistants, indicating a stable yet potentially competitive environment. With a cost of living index of 93.6, CNAs may find their take-home pay to hold added value despite the lower index compared to the national average. Employers in the area, including hospitals and rehabilitation centers, often pay more favorable wages, particularly for higher-acuity roles or positions that involve shift differentials, such as nights and weekends. Strategies for increasing certified nursing assistant pay in Cary, NC, include considering positions with weekends-only premiums, pursuing agency work during staffing shortages, and obtaining additional certifications like the Certified Medication Aide (CMA) credential. Such proactive steps can help maximize earnings in this evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,521 for certified nursing assistantsin the Cary metropolitan area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cary 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