Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Wilmington, NC: $40,161 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Wilmington, NC earns a median $40,161/year (≈ $19.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $41,651 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for certified nursing assistants stands at $40,161 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. This disparity can be attributed to the city's healthcare employment structure, where certified nursing assistants often find themselves receiving different pay rates based on their workplace settings, such as skilled nursing facilities versus hospitals. The local salary range extends from $31,641 at the 10th percentile to $50,162 at the 90th percentile, showing a significant variation depending on experience, shift differentials, and specific job responsibilities. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting Wilmington's unique economic environment as it relates to healthcare compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,641 | $15.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,443 | $17.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,161 | $19.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,838 | $22.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,162 | $24.12 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,521 (2026 est.). At $40,161, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $40,161/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,065 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.77% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $40,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.20% below the North Carolina state average of $41,065.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,161 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,651 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% 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
$25,140
2025 BLS Actual
$37,710
2026 Current Est.
$40,161
2019–2027 Growth
+70.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,161 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 50.0% from $25,140 (2019) to $37,710 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,632 (70.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $31,641 – $35,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,443 – $40,161 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,161 – $45,838 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,838 – $50,162 |
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 Wilmington
Wilmington's market currently employs approximately 2,390 certified nursing assistants, reflecting a stable demand for these roles despite an ongoing national staffing crisis post-COVID. With a cost-of-living index of 96.422, it's crucial for CNAs in Wilmington to consider how their salaries translate into purchasing power. High-paying opportunities are often found in specialized settings like hospitals, where roles in intensive care units or surgical floors may offer superior wages compared to other healthcare settings. Factors influencing pay disparities include shift differentials—where working nights can yield an additional $2-4 per hour—and premiums for weekend shifts. Furthermore, pursuing certification as a Certified Medication Aide (CMA) or seeking weekend-only roles can enhance compensation. For certified nursing assistants aiming to maximize their income in Wilmington, focusing on these strategies can lead to improved financial outcomes while potentially paving the way for future advancement into LPN or RN roles.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Wilmington?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Wilmington?
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 $37,710 for certified nursing assistantsin the Wilmington 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