Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Garner, NC: $39,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Garner, NC earns a median $39,376/year (≈ $18.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $42,068 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Garner, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $39,376 in 2026, which reflects the recent increases in wages due to the post-COVID reset in the healthcare job market. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $33,493 and the highest 90% reaching up to $48,553. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living conditions. Compared to the national median of $45,007, the certified nursing assistant salary in Garner remains about 12.51% lower, illustrating the local market's position in the wider context of healthcare compensation.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,493 | $16.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,732 | $17.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,376 | $18.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,463 | $21.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,553 | $23.34 |
Median Salary Position
12.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,060 (2026 est.). At $39,376, the local median is 12.51% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garner Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Garner median: $39,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,060 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -12.51% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Garner, NC earn a median of $39,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.51% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $41,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner 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.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $39,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,068 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,949
2025 BLS Actual
$36,973
2026 Current Est.
$39,376
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,949 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,421 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,632 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,973 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $25,949 (2019) to $36,973 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,987 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $33,493 – $35,732 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,732 – $39,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,376 – $44,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,463 – $48,553 |
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 Garner
The job market for certified nursing assistants in Garner sees a limited number of positions, with just four CNAs currently employed in the area. A cost-of-living index of 93.6 indicates that living expenses in Garner are below the national average, which can impact take-home pay and overall quality of life. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities often provide the most competitive pay, influenced by factors such as shift differentials, with night shifts typically offering an additional $2-$4 per hour. The disparity in pay is also affected by factors such as agency premiums during staffing shortages and weekend-only roles that command higher rates. For those looking to maximize their certified nursing assistant pay in Garner, pursuing certifications such as CMA can lead to higher wages, while targeted experience in higher-acuity settings can also yield better financial rewards. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring CNAs navigate their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Garner, 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 $36,973 for certified nursing assistantsin the Garner 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 Garner 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