Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in North Charleston, SC: $42,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in North Charleston, SC earns a median $42,213/year (≈ $20.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $46,134 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in North Charleston, SC, can expect a median annual salary of $42,213, which falls below the national median of $45,007. The salary range for this role spans from $31,768 at the lower end to $51,642 at the higher end, indicating a diverse range within the market. These figures are presented as estimates based on 2025 BLS data with regional adjustments for the cost of living. For those considering the CNA-to-LPN bridge pathway, the potential for increased earnings becomes apparent, as advancement leads to better pay and job opportunities. Executing the right career strategy in North Charleston could set the stage for lucrative growth in the healthcare sector.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($31,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,768 | $15.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,062 | $18.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,213 | $20.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,042 | $22.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,642 | $24.83 |
Median Salary Position
6.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,874 (2026 est.). At $42,213, the local median is 6.21% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be above the median
How North Charleston Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $42,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $39,749 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -6.21% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $42,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.21% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 6.20% above the South Carolina state average of $39,749.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $42,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,134 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$27,819
2025 BLS Actual
$39,637
2026 Current Est.
$42,213
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,819 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,829 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,259 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $27,819 (2019) to $39,637 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,138 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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) | $31,768 – $38,062 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,062 – $42,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,213 – $47,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,042 – $51,642 |
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 North Charleston
The job market for certified nursing assistants in North Charleston is currently modest, with 22 individuals employed in this field amidst a cost-of-living index of 91.5, significantly below the national average. This disparity enhances the purchasing power for those individuals, allowing for a relatively comfortable lifestyle despite the lower wage level. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the most competitive pay packages for CNAs, particularly when factoring in shift differentials that can provide an additional $2-4/hour for night shifts and $1-3 for weekend work. Furthermore, areas facing staffing shortages may offer agency premium pay, increasing overall compensation. Practical strategies for maximizing certified nursing assistant pay in North Charleston SC might include seeking evening and weekend shifts, staying updated on certification like CMA, and exploring high-acuity roles where pay scales increase with patient complexity.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in North Charleston, SC in 2026?
Is North Charleston, SC a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in North Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in North Charleston?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in North Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $39,637 for certified nursing assistantsin the North Charleston 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 North Charleston 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