Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $38,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $38,894/year (≈ $18.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $41,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Myrtle Beach, SC, are seeing a median annual salary of $38,894 in 2026, which falls short of the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this occupation spans from $32,227 at the 10th percentile to $45,731 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the disparities in pay that can occur due to factors like work setting and experience. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights that local wages are influenced by the structural differences in healthcare facilities, particularly between skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where pay scales can diverge significantly. As the job market for certified nursing assistants remains strong, strategies to maximize earnings are essential for professionals navigating this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,227 | $15.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,402 | $17.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,894 | $18.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,788 | $19.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,731 | $21.98 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,504 (2026 est.). At $38,894, the local median is 13.58% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Myrtle Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Myrtle Beach Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $38,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,728 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -13.58% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $38,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $39,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,894 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,535 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,180
2025 BLS Actual
$36,520
2026 Current Est.
$38,894
2019–2027 Growth
+71.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,422 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 51.0% from $24,180 (2019) to $36,520 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,242 (71.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $32,227 – $36,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,402 – $38,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,894 – $39,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,788 – $45,731 |
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 Myrtle Beach
Within Myrtle Beach, approximately 820 certified nursing assistants are actively employed, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost of living index for the area sits at 93.642, indicating that take-home pay may stretch further compared to many national averages, although salaries still trail behind the national benchmark. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often offer competitive pay, but hospitals, especially in critical care areas like ICUs, can provide higher wages due to the demanding nature of care. The variations in pay spotlight factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts attracting an additional $2-4 per hour and weekend shifts yielding premiums of $1-3. CNAs interested in maximizing their pay in Myrtle Beach might consider seeking out weekend and overnight roles, applying for positions with agencies during staffing shortages, or pursuing certifications that enhance their marketability, such as CMA credentials. This strategic approach can optimize their trajectory in a field that frequently serves as a stepping stone toward nursing careers.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
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 $36,520 for certified nursing assistantsin the Myrtle Beach 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