Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Charleston, SC: $41,333 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Charleston, SC earns a median $41,333/year (≈ $19.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $40,939 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Charleston, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $41,333, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $37,882 at the 10th percentile to $50,023 at the 90th percentile. Data for this analysis comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026. While skilled nursing facilities may pay slightly less than hospitals for entry-level positions, factors such as experience and specialty areas can create significant pay differentials. The job market in Charleston reflects a growing need for CNAs, making it a competitive environment for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,882 | $18.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,778 | $19.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,333 | $19.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,903 | $22.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,023 | $24.05 |
Median Salary Position
8.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,141 (2026 est.). At $41,333, the local median is 8.16% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $41,333/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,743 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.16% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Charleston, SC earn a median of $41,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.16% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.00% above the South Carolina state average of $39,743.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $41,333 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $40,939 — a 0.95% reduction.
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
$29,160
2025 BLS Actual
$38,810
2026 Current Est.
$41,333
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,333 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 33.1% from $29,160 (2019) to $38,810 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,859 (50.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $37,882 – $39,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,778 – $41,333 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,333 – $46,903 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,903 – $50,023 |
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 Charleston
Charleston's local employment figures reveal approximately 2,800 certified nursing assistants actively working, which bolsters the job market in this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 100.962, salaries in this market may stretch further than in some neighboring areas. The highest-paying employers tend to be hospitals, particularly in critical care units and rehabilitation facilities, where the demand often dictates better compensation. The wide salary range can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials—where nights can earn an additional $2-$4 per hour—and premiums for weekend shifts. Additionally, agency rates may surge during staffing shortages, driving up earnings potential. For those seeking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Charleston, pursuing evening shifts or exploring roles in high-acuity settings can be beneficial, along with obtaining CMA certification and taking advantage of weekend-only positions that often come with higher pay rates.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Charleston, SC in 2026?
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Charleston?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South 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 $38,810 for certified nursing assistantsin the Charleston 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