CNA Salary

Mooresville vs Raleigh: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Mooresville, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mooresville, NC
$39,481
$18.98/hr
Raleigh, NC
$42,291
$20.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMooresville, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$39,481$42,291
Hourly Rate$18.98$20.33
Entry Level (P10)$33,879$32,653
25th Percentile$35,953$39,213
75th Percentile$42,401$48,362
Top Earner (P90)$48,787$50,843
Total Employed136,420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mooresville ($39,481) and Raleigh ($42,291) certified nursing assistant salaries.MooresvilleRaleighMedian Salary$39,481$42,291Entry Level (P10)$33,879$32,653Top Earner (P90)$48,787$50,843US Median $45,007

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mooresville.

The salary gap between Mooresville and Raleigh is $2,810 (7.12%). Raleigh's median is -6.03% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mooresville spans $14,908,Raleigh spans $18,190. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Mooresville
P10 (Entry)$33,879
P25$35,953
Median$39,481
P75$42,401
P90 (Top)$48,787
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$32,653
P25$39,213
Median$42,291
P75$48,362
P90 (Top)$50,843

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($43,085 effective) pays 2.14% more than Mooresville ($42,181 effective).

Mooresville
Nominal: $39,481
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $42,181
Raleigh
Nominal: $42,291
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $43,085

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mooresville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,291/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,843)
  • Larger job market (6,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,085)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Mooresville grew 24.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 51.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Mooresville, NC

+24.8%

$29,711 (2024) → $37,071 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+51.6%

$26,200 (2019) → $39,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Mooresville or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $42,291/year, compared to Mooresville at $39,481/year — a difference of $2,810 (7.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mooresville and Raleigh?

Mooresville certified nursing assistants earn $18.98/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $20.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mooresville to Raleigh as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mooresville and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mooresville = $42,181, Raleigh = $43,085), job availability (13 vs 6,420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Mooresville vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $33,879 in Mooresville and $32,653 in Raleigh. The Mooresville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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