Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Sanford, NC: $40,468 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Sanford, NC earns a median $40,468/year (≈ $19.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Sanford's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $43,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sanford, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants (CNA) is $40,468 in 2026, falling short of the national median of $45,007. Salary estimates range significantly from $32,916 at the 10th percentile to $48,128 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse earning potential within the local market. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjust for regional cost-of-living factors. With only five certified nursing assistants currently employed in Sanford, those entering this field must be aware of the structural differences between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, which can influence pay rates and opportunities for advancement.
About the Sanford Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,916 | $15.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,610 | $17.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,468 | $19.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,616 | $21.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,128 | $23.14 |
Median Salary Position
10.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sanford
In Sanford, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,212 (2026 est.). At $40,468, the local median is 10.09% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Sanford: You'd be above the median
How Sanford Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Sanford median: $40,468/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,042 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.09% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Sanford, NC earn a median of $40,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.09% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $41,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sanford 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.
Sanford, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,468 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,669
2025 BLS Actual
$37,998
2026 Current Est.
$40,468
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Sanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,669 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,739 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,253 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,154 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,347 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,454 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,998 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,468 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sanford metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,669 (2019) to $37,998 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,429 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sanford 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) | $32,916 – $35,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,610 – $40,468 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,468 – $44,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,616 – $48,128 |
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 Sanford
While the certified nursing assistant salary in Sanford reflects a slower growth compared to national trends, the cost of living index sits at 93.6, indicating that purchasing power is somewhat enhanced in this area. Employers offering higher wages typically include skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health agencies, with shift differentials often driving up hourly pay—particularly for night shifts and weekends. Factors such as agency staffing premiums during shortages, CMA certification stipends, and facility-specific acuity-based pay grades further contribute to the salary spread. For those seeking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Sanford, embracing weekend shifts, pursuing additional certifications, or considering roles in high-need environments like rehabilitation hospitals can be effective strategies for enhancing earning potential.
More salary data for Sanford, 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 $37,998 for certified nursing assistantsin the Sanford 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 Sanford 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