Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Salisbury, MD: $19.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Salisbury, MD runs $19.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,258 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.6, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,748 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Salisbury, Maryland, the projected median hourly pay for certified nursing assistants in 2026 is $19.83. This figure falls below the national median of $21.64, highlighting a unique aspect of the regional job market for CNAs. For part-time workers, such as those committing to a three-day workweek, this hourly wage translates to a reliable income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules across various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health environments. Entry-level CNAs may earn around $18.09 per hour, while more experienced professionals can reach as much as $23.73 per hour, ensuring a range of earning potential that caters to both new entrants and seasoned workers in the field.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.09 | $144.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.08 | $152.68 |
| Median (P50) | $19.83 | $158.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.73 | $189.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.73 | $189.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $19.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.83/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, MD can expect to earn approximately $41,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,796. With a cost-of-living index of 95.62 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $793.21 | $3,437 | $41,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $475.93 | $2,062 | $24,748 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $317.28 | $1,375 | $16,499 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Salisbury) | $19.83 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Salisbury, MD earn a median of $41,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.33% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 16.10% below the Maryland state average of $49,175.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.83/hr = $24,748/year (purchasing power: $25,883).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,247/year (purchasing power: $43,138).
CoL index: 95.617 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Salisbury grew 32.2% from $14.08/hr (2019) to $18.62/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.12/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Salisbury
As many CNAs consider part-time work in Salisbury, the financial implications become evident. A certified nursing assistant working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate can expect to take home around $24,634 annually, a figure that provides a stable income though far less than full-time counterparts. The landscape of per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Salisbury can be particularly lucrative, with agency CNAs often billing between $22 and $32 per hour, and weekend contracts rising even higher due to demand. Differences in hourly pay are prevalent based on employer types; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may offer lower rates compared to hospitals or home health agencies that require specialized skills. While some CNAs might accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for health insurance benefits, others could prioritize higher compensation from part-time or per-diem roles that do not offer these advantages. Effective negotiation strategies for those entering the field in Salisbury involve understanding local pay trends and advocating for shifts or schedules that maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Salisbury, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Salisbury in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Salisbury?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Salisbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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