Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Asheville, NC: $42,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Asheville, NC earns a median $42,781/year (≈ $20.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $44,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Asheville, NC, has reset since the post-COVID era, with a median annual wage of $42,781. This figure positions Asheville slightly lower than the national median pay, which is projected at $45,007 for the same year. Salaries for certified nursing assistants in the area range from $35,859 at the 10th percentile to $52,217 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse earning potential influenced by factors such as experience and specific job settings. These projections, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicate that the market for certified nursing assistants in Asheville is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 6.50%, highlighting its ongoing demand amid recovery within the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,859 | $17.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,161 | $19.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,781 | $20.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,458 | $23.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,217 | $25.10 |
Median Salary Position
4.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,358 (2026 est.). At $42,781, the local median is 4.95% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Asheville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Asheville median: $42,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,057 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -4.95% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Asheville, NC earn a median of $42,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.95% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.20% above the North Carolina state average of $41,057.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,781 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,080
2025 BLS Actual
$40,170
2026 Current Est.
$42,781
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,562 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 38.1% from $29,080 (2019) to $40,170 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,562 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,482 (56.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $35,859 – $40,161 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,161 – $42,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,781 – $48,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,458 – $52,217 |
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 Asheville
With approximately 2,590 certified nursing assistants currently employed in the Asheville area, the local job market remains robust. The cost of living index, set at 96.506, suggests that residents enjoy lower living expenses compared to many national averages, which can positively impact take-home pay. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals are generally noted for offering competitive wages, often supplemented by shift differentials for nights and weekends. Additionally, the variation in earnings across different roles can be attributed to agency premium pay during staffing shortages, as well as incentives for certifications like CMA. For those seeking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Asheville, pursuing shifts during peak demand hours and considering transitioning to roles that support career advancement into nursing ranks can be strategic pathways to higher compensation.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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 $40,170 for certified nursing assistantsin the Asheville 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