Nursing Assistant salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Nursing Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $37,430 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,860 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $38,460. There are 18 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| 25th percentile | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| Median | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Average (mean) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,559.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,439.62 |
| Weekly | $719.81 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $40,560 | 4,830 |
| Asheville, NC | $40,170 | 2,590 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $39,710 | 6,420 |
| Greenville, NC | $39,480 | 1,730 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $39,430 | 13,580 |
| Burlington, NC | $39,090 | 1,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,990 | 8,110 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,660 | 4,450 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,540 | 600 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $38,260 | 5,280 |
| Wilmington, NC | $37,710 | 2,390 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $37,650 | 940 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,530 | 2,130 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $36,930 | 950 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $35,880 | 530 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $37,430 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $44,860 a year. The top 25% earn $39,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,240 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $36,530 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 2,780 nursing assistants are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.