Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Winchester, VA: $42,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Winchester, VA earns a median $42,568/year (≈ $20.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Winchester's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $44,135 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Winchester, Virginia, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $42,568. This positions Winchester slightly below the national median of $45,007, indicating a post-COVID wage reset that has stabilized the local market for CNAs. Salary projections indicate a broad range, with the lowest 10% earning about $32,025 while the top 90% can expect up to $53,697. These figures derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving dynamics in healthcare employment and compensation in the Winchester area amidst ongoing workforce shifts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,025 | $15.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,435 | $18.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,568 | $20.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,882 | $23.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,697 | $25.82 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winchester
In Winchester, VA, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,672 (2026 est.). At $42,568, the local median is 5.42% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winchester Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Winchester median: $42,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.42% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Winchester, VA earn a median of $42,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $45,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winchester has a cost of living 3.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winchester, VA has a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,568 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,135 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,120
2025 BLS Actual
$39,970
2026 Current Est.
$42,568
2019–2027 Growth
+55.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winchester metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 37.3% from $29,120 (2019) to $39,970 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,215 (55.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winchester 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) | $32,025 – $37,435 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,435 – $42,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,568 – $47,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,882 – $53,697 |
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 Winchester
In Winchester, approximately 810 certified nursing assistants are currently employed, showcasing a solid local job market amid favorable conditions, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 96.45, which is below the national average. This affordable living environment can enhance the purchasing power of CNA salaries, despite the lower median compared to national figures. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often offer higher wages, especially for roles on medical/surgical floors and in critical areas like ICUs. Factors contributing to the pay discrepancy include shift differentials—where night shifts command an additional $2-4 per hour and weekends see a premium of $1-3—along with agency pay rates during staffing shortages. Additionally, CNAs can improve their pay trajectory by considering certifications such as CMA, which can lead to higher pay, as well as exploring weekend-only roles that often come with extra compensation. With the growth rate anticipated at 6.50% annually, opportunities abound for those looking to enhance their careers in this essential healthcare sector.
More salary data for Winchester, VA:
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 $39,970 for certified nursing assistantsin the Winchester 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