Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $40,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $40,467/year (≈ $19.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $43,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, NC, certified nursing assistants can expect a median annual salary of $40,467 in 2026. This figure represents a substantial local wage, especially given that the projected salary range spans from $33,999 for entry-level positions to $50,523 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. These numbers are influenced by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels. For those considering advancing their careers, obtaining credentials such as an LPN can significantly enhance earning potential and job opportunities within the Wake Forest job market, which continues to evolve in response to local healthcare demands.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,999 | $16.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,615 | $17.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,467 | $19.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,844 | $22.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,523 | $24.29 |
Median Salary Position
10.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,524 (2026 est.). At $40,467, the local median is 10.09% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $40,467/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,041 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.09% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $40,467 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 $41,041.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,467 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,668
2025 BLS Actual
$37,997
2026 Current Est.
$40,467
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,668 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,738 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,252 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,153 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,347 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,097 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $26,668 (2019) to $37,997 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,429 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $33,999 – $35,615 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,615 – $40,467 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,467 – $45,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,844 – $50,523 |
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 Wake Forest
In this market, there are currently nine certified nursing assistants employed in Wake Forest, which indicates a relatively small but focused healthcare sector. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that wages may stretch further in this community compared to national averages, thus affecting take-home purchasing power positively. Among the various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals often provide some of the better-paying opportunities for certified nursing assistants in the area. Pay disparities can arise due to factors like shift differentials—earning an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night or weekend shifts—as well as incentives for agency staffing during shortages. To maximize their earnings, certified nursing assistants in Wake Forest might consider pursuing weekend-only roles, which typically come with premium pay, and exploring additional certifications or specialties that indicate a higher acuity level in patient care. Such strategies can create valuable pathways towards improved financial stability in a market that remains competitive.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $37,997 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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