Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $39,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $39,969/year (≈ $19.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $43,455 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Fayetteville, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $39,969, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. Salary ranges for CNAs in this area reflect this discrepancy, with figures starting at $30,523 for the lowest earners and reaching up to $47,914 for those at the top of the pay scale. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the local market's evolution over time. As CNAs often bridge into roles such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), pursuing further credentials not only enhances their marketability but can significantly influence their potential earnings within Fayetteville's healthcare system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,523 | $14.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,847 | $16.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,969 | $19.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,677 | $21.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,914 | $23.04 |
Median Salary Position
11.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,391 (2026 est.). At $39,969, the local median is 11.19% below the national median of $45,007.
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How Fayetteville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $39,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,036 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -11.19% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $39,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.19% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.60% below the North Carolina state average of $41,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,969 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,455 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$23,820
2025 BLS Actual
$37,530
2026 Current Est.
$39,969
2019–2027 Growth
+78.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,567 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 57.6% from $23,820 (2019) to $37,530 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,567 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,747 (78.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $30,523 – $34,847 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,847 – $39,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,969 – $44,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,677 – $47,914 |
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 Fayetteville
Currently, Fayetteville employs around 2,130 certified nursing assistants, indicating a steady demand for this essential workforce. The cost of living index in the area stands at 91.978, meaning that while salaries may trail the national average, the purchasing power for CNAs is relatively favorable compared to many other regions. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive wages, particularly during evening shifts, weekends, or through agency contracts that entice with premium pay. Understanding these dynamics can help CNAs maximize their pay in Fayetteville — engaging in roles that command shift differentials, actively seeking weekend-only positions, or pursuing additional certifications may provide advantageous boosts to their earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $37,530 for certified nursing assistantsin the Fayetteville 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
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