Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $40,182 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $40,182/year (≈ $19.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.0), that paycheck buys what $40,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant stands at $40,182 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this position in the area varies significantly, from $36,125 at the 10th percentile to $49,075 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reflects the competitive yet distinct market for healthcare roles on the island. Those seeking positions in skilled nursing facilities may find themselves navigating a different pay structure than those working in hospital settings, often impacting overall compensation due to availability, demand, and facility type.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,125 | $17.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,660 | $18.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,182 | $19.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,006 | $21.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,075 | $23.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,950 (2026 est.). At $40,182, the local median is 10.72% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilton Head Island Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $40,182/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,745 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -10.72% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $40,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.72% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.10% above the South Carolina state average of $39,745.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island has a cost of living 1.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 98.017 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $40,182 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,995 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.02% 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
$29,180
2025 BLS Actual
$37,730
2026 Current Est.
$40,182
2019–2027 Growth
+46.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,182 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,794 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 29.3% from $29,180 (2019) to $37,730 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,614 (46.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $36,125 – $38,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,660 – $40,182 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,182 – $44,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,006 – $49,075 |
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 Hilton Head Island
With 770 certified nursing assistants currently employed in Hilton Head Island, the job market exhibits noteworthy stability, particularly as facilities strive to retain staff post-pandemic. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.017, suggesting that housing and daily expenses are relatively manageable, which could enhance take-home purchasing power for CNAs. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities generally offer the most competitive pay, while factors such as shift differentials significantly impact wages. Night shifts typically command a premium of $2 to $4 per hour, and weekend work can pay an additional $1 to $3 per hour. For those aiming to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Hilton Head Island, considering roles that offer advanced certifications or bridging to LPN and RN programs can be advantageous, allowing career progression and higher earning potential in the primarily service-oriented healthcare market.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Hilton Head Island, SC in 2026?
Is Hilton Head Island, SC a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Hilton Head Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Hilton Head Island?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Hilton Head Island?
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 $37,730 for certified nursing assistantsin the Hilton Head Island 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