Nursing Assistant salary in North Carolina
Nursing Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $38,460 a year ($18.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 64,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $42,260. North Carolina ranks 36th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 13 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| 25th percentile | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Median | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| 75th percentile | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Average (mean) | $39,280 | $18.89 |
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 | $3,205 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,602.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,479.23 |
| Weekly | $739.62 |
| Hourly | $18.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,460 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $37,430 | 2,780 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Orderly | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for nursing assistants in North Carolina is $38,460 a year, or $18.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in North Carolina earn at least $47,080 a year. The top 25% earn $43,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,260 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $35,950 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in North Carolina?
About 64,010 nursing assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.