Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Aiken, SC: $39,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Aiken, SC earns a median $39,402/year (≈ $18.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Aiken's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $43,062 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Aiken, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $39,402, which represents a significant gap when compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role in Aiken spans from $32,594 at the 10th percentile to $47,307 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various employer settings and roles that can influence compensation. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reveal notable discrepancies in pay, especially between those working in skilled nursing facilities versus hospitals. The choice of employer is critical, as certified nursing assistant pay in Aiken SC can vary significantly based on the work environment.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($31,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,594 | $15.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,952 | $16.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,402 | $18.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,713 | $21.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,307 | $22.75 |
Median Salary Position
12.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aiken
In Aiken, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,713 (2026 est.). At $39,402, the local median is 12.45% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aiken: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aiken Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Aiken median: $39,402/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aiken Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,720 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.45% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Aiken, SC earn a median of $39,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.45% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $39,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aiken has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aiken, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,402 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,062 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,966
2025 BLS Actual
$36,997
2026 Current Est.
$39,402
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,008 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,535 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,307 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,443 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,963 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aiken metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,966 (2019) to $36,997 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,963 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,997 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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) | $32,594 – $34,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,952 – $39,402 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,402 – $43,713 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,713 – $47,307 |
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 Aiken
Aiken’s job market for certified nursing assistants remains strong, albeit with only four reported positions filled in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating affordability and enhancing the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that typically offer the highest wages include hospitals, especially for those working in intensive care units and acute medical settings, as well as skilled nursing facilities. Factors contributing to the pay spread include shift differentials, where evenings and weekends can command an additional $1 to $4 per hour, and the demand for agency workers amid staffing shortages. To maximize earning potential, CNAs in Aiken should consider pursuing advanced training or certifications like CMA, explore weekend-only roles, and be open to higher-paying facilities that cater to higher-acuity patient populations.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Aiken, SC in 2026?
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Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Aiken?
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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 $36,997 for certified nursing assistantsin the Aiken 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 Aiken 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