Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Salisbury, NC: $40,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Salisbury, NC earns a median $40,335/year (≈ $19.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $43,093 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Salisbury, North Carolina, is projected to be $40,335 annually, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range shows a breadth of opportunity, spanning from $32,711 at the 10th percentile to $46,179 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variance that can be influenced by several factors, including experience and the specific healthcare setting. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments reveal that the post-COVID wage landscape has created a new baseline for compensation, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%. This increase aligns with the industry’s efforts to address staffing shortages post-pandemic, offering potential for both current and aspiring certified nursing assistants in Salisbury to earn competitive wages in a recovering job market.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,711 | $15.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,328 | $16.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,335 | $19.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,179 | $22.21 |
Median Salary Position
10.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,468 (2026 est.). At $40,335, the local median is 10.38% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be above the median
How Salisbury Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $40,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,032 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.38% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $40,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.38% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $41,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury 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.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,335 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,093 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,581
2025 BLS Actual
$37,873
2026 Current Est.
$40,335
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,164 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,048 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,353 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,873 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,581 (2019) to $37,873 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,376 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $32,711 – $35,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,328 – $40,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,335 – $43,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,470 – $46,179 |
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 Salisbury
In Salisbury, the local job market currently employs only six certified nursing assistants, highlighting a niche but potentially stable demand. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, which reflects a lower-than-average living expense compared to the national average, making the salary stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Major employers include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where the highest salaries tend to be found. Factors contributing to the spread between lower and higher pay include shift differentials that can add $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts, and weekends can provide another $1 to $3 per hour. Additionally, agency work during staffing shortages may offer premium pay, while opportunities for shift stipends for certified medication aides and acuity-based pay grades in rehabilitation settings further influence earnings. Aspiring CNAs in Salisbury looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing evening or weekend shifts, as well as explore pathways into LPN or RN programs, which can significantly enhance their earning potential within the healthcare framework.
More salary data for Salisbury, 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 $37,873 for certified nursing assistantsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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