verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in North Carolina

Median Annual in North Carolina
$38,460/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$18.49/hr
▼ 9% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Carolina

groups Employed in NC
64,010
public U.S. Median
$42,260
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$40,773 #41 of 51

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in North Carolina, explained

Certified nursing assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $38,460 per year ($18.49 per hour), which is 9% below the national median of $42,260. Entry-level workers earn around $30,260, while the most experienced certified nursing assistants reach about $47,080. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Carolina.

Is $38,460 good pay in North Carolina?

Adjusted for North Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $38,460 is worth about $40,773 in national buying power — ranking North Carolina #41 for real pay (vs #36 on the sticker number).

See the full Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by experience in North Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$30,260
$14.55/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$38,460
$18.49/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$47,080
$22.63/hr

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NC
North Carolina (here) $38,460 $40,773
Virginia $43,200 $42,728 −$4,740
Tennessee $37,990 $41,352 +$470
Georgia $37,680 $39,131 +$780
South Carolina $37,220 $39,702 +$1,240

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in North Carolina: FAQ

How much do certified nursing assistants make in North Carolina?

Certified nursing assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $38,460 per year ($18.49 per hour), compared with $42,260 nationally.

Does North Carolina pay certified nursing assistants well?

At $38,460, North Carolina pays 9% below the national median for certified nursing assistants. An estimated 64,010 work in the state.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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