How Much Does a CNA Make in North Carolina in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in North Carolina, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · North Carolina · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in North Carolina earns about $18.49 per hour ($38,460 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is roughly 9% below the national figure of $42,260, and North Carolina ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. The state employs about 64,010 certified nursing assistants, one of the larger CNA workforces in the country.
How much does a CNA make in North Carolina?
CNA pay by career stage in North Carolina
| Career stage | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,260$14.55 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $35,950$17.28 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,460$18.49 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $43,850$21.08 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $47,080$22.64 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in North Carolina
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in North Carolina · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
CNA pay in North Carolina has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay was $22,550 a year; by 2025 it reached $38,460, a rise of 71%. That outpaces the national CNA pay increase of 64% over the same stretch. Pay has been moving upward year over year for CNAs in the state, though no specific increase is guaranteed for anyone starting out now.
CNA salary by city in North Carolina
Pay varies by metro area within North Carolina. CNAs in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area typically earn $40,560 a year, the highest figure in the state, while Raleigh-Cary and Charlotte both post typical pay above $39,400. The Jacksonville metro area sits lowest at $35,880, a gap of $4,680 between the state's highest- and lowest-paying metro areas.
As with any location comparison, cost of living plays a role in these differences.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs North Carolina | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham metro incl. Chapel Hill | $40,560 | $19.50 | +5% | 4,830 |
| 2 | Asheville | $40,170 | $19.31 | +4% | 2,590 |
| 3 | Raleigh metro incl. Cary | $39,710 | $19.09 | +3% | 6,420 |
| 4 | Greenville | $39,480 | $18.98 | +3% | 1,730 |
| 5 | Charlotte | $39,430 | $18.96 | +3% | 13,580 |
| 6 | Burlington | $39,090 | $18.79 | +2% | 1,020 |
| 7 | Chesapeake metro incl. Norfolk | $38,990 | $18.75 | +1% | 8,110 |
| 8 | Winston metro incl. Salem | $38,660 | $18.59 | +1% | 4,450 |
| 9 | Goldsboro | $38,540 | $18.53 | 0% | 600 |
| 10 | Greensboro metro incl. High Point | $38,260 | $18.39 | -1% | 5,280 |
| 11 | Wilmington | $37,710 | $18.13 | -2% | 2,390 |
| 12 | Rocky Mount | $37,650 | $18.10 | -2% | 940 |
| 13 | Fayetteville | $37,530 | $18.05 | -2% | 2,130 |
| 14 | Hickory | $37,430 | $18.00 | -3% | 2,780 |
| 15 | Pinehurst metro incl. Southern Pines | $36,930 | $17.76 | -4% | 950 |
| 16 | Jacksonville | $35,880 | $17.25 | -7% | 530 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · North Carolina typical pay $38,460
How North Carolina compares with nearby states
North Carolina's CNA pay sits in the middle of its neighbors. Virginia pays noticeably more, with typical CNA pay of $43,200, about 12% above North Carolina. South Carolina and Georgia both pay somewhat less, at $37,220 and $37,680. A CNA certification often carries over to a neighboring state through reciprocity or an added exam, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $38,460 | baseline |
| Virginia | $43,200 | +12% |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | -1% |
| Georgia | $37,680 | -2% |
| South Carolina | $37,220 | -3% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is North Carolina a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in North Carolina sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $38,460 a year, 9% below the national figure, ranking 36th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in North Carolina, about 13 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of North Carolina's workforce than in most states.
Summary
CNAs in North Carolina typically earn $18.49 an hour, or $38,460 a year, up 71% over the past decade. For certification requirements, the state registry page covers what North Carolina requires to become a CNA. For pay in a specific city, the city pages cover local figures for Durham, Charlotte, Raleigh, and others.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in North Carolina?
- A CNA in North Carolina typically earns **$18.49 an hour**, or about **$38,460 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,260 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $47,080 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in North Carolina?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in North Carolina is **$18.49**, per May 2025 wage data. Entry-level positions typically offer around $14.55 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $22.64 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in North Carolina?
- Starting pay for a CNA in North Carolina typically offers around **$14.55 an hour**, or about $30,260 a year, according to May 2025 data. As experience builds, pay moves up; the next band typically earns around $17.28 an hour, or $35,950 a year.
- Which city in North Carolina pays CNAs the most?
- The Durham-Chapel Hill metro area pays CNAs the most in North Carolina, with typical pay of **$40,560 a year** ($19.50 an hour). Raleigh-Cary and Charlotte follow closely, both with typical pay above $39,400 a year.
- Is CNA pay in North Carolina higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in North Carolina, at $38,460 a year, runs about **9% below** the national figure of $42,260. North Carolina ranks 36th out of 51 states for CNA pay.