Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Kernersville, NC: $40,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Kernersville, NC earns a median $40,669/year (≈ $19.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $43,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a certified nursing assistant in Kernersville, North Carolina is projected to earn a median annual salary of $40,669, falling below the national median of $45,007 for this role. The salary range for CNAs in the area extends from $33,589 at the 10th percentile to $48,765 at the 90th percentile, allowing for variations in pay based on experience and specific job demands. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, reflecting the local economic landscape. For those considering a path toward licensed practical nurse (LPN) credentials, understanding certified nursing assistant pay in Kernersville NC is crucial, as each step up typically allows for increased earning potential and job responsibilities.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,589 | $16.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,037 | $17.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,669 | $19.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,765 | $23.44 |
Median Salary Position
9.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,176 (2026 est.). At $40,669, the local median is 9.64% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kernersville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $40,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,039 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -9.64% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $40,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.64% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $41,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville 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.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,669 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,450 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$26,801
2025 BLS Actual
$38,187
2026 Current Est.
$40,669
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,801 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,389 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,518 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,313 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,801 (2019) to $38,187 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,313 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,512 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $33,589 – $36,037 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,037 – $40,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,669 – $45,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,080 – $48,765 |
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 Kernersville
Despite employing only six certified nursing assistants, Kernersville's market demonstrates a cost-of-living index of 93.6, indicating affordable living costs that can enhance overall purchasing power. However, the salary disparities within the region often hinge on specific employer types such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, which tend to offer more competitive wages. Factors influencing the pay scale include shift differentials—where working nights may yield an additional $2 to $4 per hour—and weekend premiums, as well as agency pay during staff shortages. For those looking to boost take-home earnings, pursuing certifications like Certified Medication Aide (CMA) can lead to higher pay scales, as can focusing on facilities that prioritize acuity-based pay rates and engaging in weekend-only roles where appropriate.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Kernersville, NC in 2026?
Is Kernersville, NC a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Kernersville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Kernersville?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Kernersville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $38,187 for certified nursing assistantsin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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