Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Columbia, SC: $39,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Columbia, SC earns a median $39,831/year (≈ $19.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $42,526 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants in Columbia, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median salary of $39,831, reflecting the local market's unique dynamics compared to the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role spans from $32,429 at the lower end to $48,905 at the upper end, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. Those choosing to work in skilled nursing facilities may encounter different pay scales compared to hospital settings, where the positions often pay slightly more due to the high acuity of patients. With an employment base of approximately 5,420 certified nursing assistants in Columbia, this sector is poised to see a growth rate of 6.50% annually, indicating a strong demand for skilled workers in the healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,429 | $15.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,231 | $17.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,831 | $19.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,897 | $20.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,905 | $23.52 |
Median Salary Position
11.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,476 (2026 est.). At $39,831, the local median is 11.5% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $39,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,751 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -11.50% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbia, SC earn a median of $39,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.50% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.20% above the South Carolina state average of $39,751.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,831 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,526 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% 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
$26,320
2025 BLS Actual
$37,400
2026 Current Est.
$39,831
2019–2027 Growth
+61.2%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.1% from $26,320 (2019) to $37,400 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,100 (61.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $32,429 – $36,231 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,231 – $39,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,831 – $41,897 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,897 – $48,905 |
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 Columbia
The cost of living index in Columbia stands at 93.662, which is below the national average, offering some relief in terms of overall purchasing power for those within the profession. Among the primary employers, skilled nursing facilities generally provide competitive wages, supplemented by shift differentials for evening and weekend work that can increase pay by $1-$4 per hour. Various factors drive the disparity in compensation, including staffing shortages, the demand for temporary roles with agencies, and premium pay for weekend-only positions. To maximize their earning potential, certified nursing assistants in Columbia SC should consider pursuing additional certifications like CMA or seek opportunities that offer higher-acuity care, such as working in ICU settings. Strategically shifting between facilities may also yield significant pay increases and open pathways for advancement to LPN or RN roles.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Columbia, SC in 2026?
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Columbia?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Columbia?
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 $37,400 for certified nursing assistantsin the Columbia 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