Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Cornelius, NC: $40,503 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Cornelius, NC earns a median $40,503/year (≈ $19.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Cornelius's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $43,272 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Cornelius, North Carolina, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $40,503, reflecting a market that is growing in response to demand. This salary sits below the national median of $45,007, illustrating the specific compensation differences tied to the local economy. The salary range in this community varies considerably, with entry-level positions earning as little as $35,125, while the highest-paid certified nursing assistants can make up to $46,807. These estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, and highlight the need for workers to be aware of job settings, as pay can significantly differ between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.
About the Cornelius Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,125 | $16.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,252 | $17.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,503 | $19.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,824 | $21.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,807 | $22.50 |
Median Salary Position
10.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cornelius
In Cornelius, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,682 (2026 est.). At $40,503, the local median is 10.01% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cornelius: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cornelius Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Cornelius median: $40,503/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cornelius Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,036 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.01% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Cornelius, NC earn a median of $40,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.01% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $41,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cornelius 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.
Cornelius, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,503 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,272 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,692
2025 BLS Actual
$38,031
2026 Current Est.
$40,503
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,763 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,277 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,377 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,031 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,503 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cornelius metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,692 (2019) to $38,031 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,444 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cornelius 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) | $35,125 – $37,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,252 – $40,503 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,503 – $43,824 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,824 – $46,807 |
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 Cornelius
Despite employing only 7 certified nursing assistants, Cornelius offers a competitive pay scale that respects its relatively low cost of living, with an index of 93.6 indicating affordability compared to national averages. Facilities often compensate more for shifts that require night or weekend work, with differentials that can add $2-$4 per hour for nights and $1-$3 for weekends. While skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically provide the highest pay, taking advantage of agency positions during staffing shortages can also boost earnings. To maximize certified nursing assistant pay in Cornelius, consider pursuing credentials like CMA certification for added stipends or focusing on roles that offer weekend-only or high-acuity pay premiums, which can significantly enhance take-home earnings.
More salary data for Cornelius, 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 $38,031 for certified nursing assistantsin the Cornelius 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 Cornelius 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