Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Carrboro, NC: $38,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Carrboro, NC earns a median $38,686/year (≈ $18.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $41,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carrboro, North Carolina, certified nursing assistants can expect a median annual salary of $38,686 in 2026, a figure notably lower than the national median of $45,007. The local salary range spans from $31,564 at the 10th percentile to $43,586 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale based on experience and specific job roles. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local market conditions. With a growing demand, the market for certified nursing assistants in Carrboro is poised for expansion, particularly for those willing to pursue further credentials, such as transitioning to licensed practical nurse (LPN) roles, which often comes with significant salary boosts.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,564 | $15.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,317 | $17.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,686 | $18.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,368 | $19.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,586 | $20.96 |
Median Salary Position
14.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,022 (2026 est.). At $38,686, the local median is 14.04% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be above the median
How Carrboro Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $38,686/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,025 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -14.04% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $38,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.04% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $41,025.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $38,686 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,331 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,495
2025 BLS Actual
$36,325
2026 Current Est.
$38,686
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,495 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,053 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,738 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,835 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,495 (2019) to $36,325 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,706 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $31,564 – $36,317 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,317 – $38,686 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,686 – $41,368 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,368 – $43,586 |
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 Carrboro
In terms of local employment dynamics, the six certified nursing assistants employed in Carrboro face a cost-of-living index of 93.6, suggesting that living expenses are comparatively lower than the national average. This factor positively impacts take-home pay, even as the salary figures reflect a modest position in the larger market context. Among employers in the area, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies tend to offer higher wages, especially with shift differentials that can add $2-$4 per hour for night shifts and $1-$3 for weekend work. Short staffing has led to increased agency premiums and stipends tied to CMA certifications, further widening the gap between lower and higher-paying roles. For those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Carrboro, actively seeking positions that offer weekend-only roles or pursuing additional training can yield significant financial advantages in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Carrboro, 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 $36,325 for certified nursing assistantsin the Carrboro 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
Salary data for Carrboro is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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