Senior Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Burlington, NC: $48,617 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of certified nursing assistants working in Burlington, NC — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $48,617/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-1131. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $52,166 in average-cost America. The 17% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, NC, the potential for top-tier earnings as a senior certified nursing assistant is notable, especially when looking at the 2026 projected salary range. The P90 figure stands at $48,617, which highlights the significant pay gap when juxtaposed with the median annual salary of $41,631. This experience premium reflects the advanced knowledge and skills that seasoned professionals—those with seven or more years in the field—bring to the table. Achieving this level of compensation usually requires not only experience but also specialization in high-demand areas such as restorative care and medication aid, as well as potentially leadership roles within healthcare settings.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced certified nursing assistants at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $45,081 and $48,617 per year (2026 est.). This $16,156 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $41,631 sits 7.5% below the US median.
Top CNA Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $41,631 | $45,007 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,081 | $50,289 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $48,617 | $55,359 |
In Burlington, experienced certified nursing assistants (P90) earn 16.78% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Certified Nursing Assistant Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in North Carolina
NC certified nursing assistants with additional specialty certifications within the nursing field earn significantly above the $41,631 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Certified Nursing Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nursing field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $45,081–$48,617 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area, which is a large CNA employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced certified nursing assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured certified nursing assistants in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Certified Nursing Assistants in North Carolina who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Certified Nursing Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Certified Nursing Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Certified Nursing Assistant
5-10 yearsCertified Nursing Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #22 of 45 North Carolina cities for top earner certified nursing assistant salary (90th percentile: $48,617).
Top 10% certified nursing assistant compensation in Burlington ($48,617) is 3.28% below the North Carolina average P90 ($50,266).
2019 BLS Actual
$33,080
2025 BLS Actual
$45,650
2026 Current Est.
$48,617
2019–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,617 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,777 | Projected |
Top-earning certified nursing assistants (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 38.0% from $33,080 in 2019 to $45,650 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 6.50% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $51,777 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Certified Nursing Assistant Earnings in Burlington
Senior certified nursing assistants in Burlington often find their compensation shaped by their specializations and the type of employers they choose. For instance, those working as hospice aides or in skilled nursing facilities may enjoy higher pay compared to counterparts in assisted living communities, particularly when they hold certifications that raise their marketability. Moreover, avenues for advancement, such as becoming a charge CNA, training coordinator, or moving into a CNA-to-LPN or CNA-to-RN bridge program, can significantly enhance earning potential. Additional compensation drivers, like shift differentials for working nights or weekends and experience-based pay structures, also play a role in boosting senior certified nursing assistant pay in NC. In a region experiencing a staffing crisis post-COVID, focusing on these advanced certifications can be a strategic move to secure a lucrative career path in this evolving workforce.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced certified nursing assistants make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher certified nursing assistant pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost certified nursing assistant salary in Burlington?
Can experienced certified nursing assistants make six figures in Burlington?
How much does certified nursing assistant salary increase over time in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North 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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $45,650 for certified nursing assistants in the Burlington metro area. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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