Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Greenville, NC: $42,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Greenville, NC earns a median $42,046/year (≈ $20.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $47,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the certified nursing assistant salary in Greenville, NC, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $42,046, which reflects a competitive yet lower standing compared to the national median of $45,007. This salary range for local CNAs spans from $31,194 at the 10th percentile to $45,859 at the 90th percentile, as derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The differences in pay primarily stem from the type of healthcare setting where one works—positions in skilled nursing facilities often offer different compensation levels compared to hospitals. Considering the strong demand for certified nursing assistants in Greenville, due in part to a growing elder population and increased turnover rates in the post-COVID landscape, prospective CNAs have opportunities to negotiate salaries within this range based on their choice of employer.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,194 | $15.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,221 | $17.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,046 | $20.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,859 | $22.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,859 | $22.05 |
Median Salary Position
6.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,665 (2026 est.). At $42,046, the local median is 6.58% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be above the median
How Greenville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Greenville median: $42,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $41,061 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.58% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Greenville, NC earn a median of $42,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.58% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 2.40% above the North Carolina state average of $41,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 11.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.402 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,046 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,170
2025 BLS Actual
$39,480
2026 Current Est.
$42,046
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,779 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 40.1% from $28,170 (2019) to $39,480 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,779 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,609 (58.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $31,194 – $36,221 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,221 – $42,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,046 – $45,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,859 – $45,859 |
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 Greenville
Currently, there are approximately 1,730 certified nursing assistants employed in the Greenville area, which demonstrates a solid local job market. Given the cost of living index of 88.402, the purchasing power for CNAs in this region is more favorable compared to national averages. Facilities such as hospitals, particularly those with medical/surgical floors and ICUs, often pay the highest wages. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors like shift differentials—earning an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and $1 to $3 for weekends—and premiums offered by agencies during staffing shortages. To maximize pay in this specific environment, aspiring CNAs should consider certifications like CMA to increase their value, explore weekend-only roles, and evaluate the potential for advancement to LPN or RN, turning initial positions into stepping stones for further career growth.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 $39,480 for certified nursing assistantsin the Greenville 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