Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Winston, NC: $41,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Winston, NC earns a median $41,173/year (≈ $19.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $44,732 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) can expect a median annual salary of $41,173, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for CNAs in this area spans from $34,623 at the 10th percentile to $48,596 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the reality of the local healthcare job market, which tends to offer varying compensation based on the type of facility. Skilled nursing facilities may provide different pay scales compared to hospitals, illustrating the complexity of the compensation structure for this essential role in patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,623 | $16.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,192 | $18.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,173 | $19.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,018 | $21.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,596 | $23.37 |
Median Salary Position
8.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,973 (2026 est.). At $41,173, the local median is 8.52% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Winston median: $41,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,050 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.52% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Winston, NC earn a median of $41,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.52% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $41,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,732 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,920
2025 BLS Actual
$38,660
2026 Current Est.
$41,173
2019–2027 Growth
+57.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.5% from $27,920 (2019) to $38,660 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,929 (57.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $34,623 – $39,192 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,192 – $41,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,173 – $45,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,018 – $48,596 |
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 Winston
With approximately 4,450 certified nursing assistants employed in the Winston area, job opportunities remain robust despite the competitive landscape. The region's cost-of-living index is 92.043, indicating a relatively affordable living environment which can enhance take-home purchasing power. In terms of pay differences, hospitals, particularly those with medical/surgical floors and ICUs, often pay higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies. Factors such as shift differentials—where working nights can add an additional $2 to $4 per hour—weekend premiums, and agency pay during staff shortages contribute to the pay variance. To maximize earnings in Winston, CNAs should consider pursuing CMA certification for potential stipends, exploring weekend-only roles, and being open to shifts in higher-acuity facilities, which typically offer more competitive pay scales.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $38,660 for certified nursing assistantsin the Winston 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