Nursing Assistant salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Nursing Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $40,560 a year ($19.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,320 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $38,460. There are 14 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 25th percentile | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Median | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 75th percentile | $45,770 | $22.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Average (mean) | $42,540 | $20.45 |
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 | $3,380 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,690 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,560 |
| Weekly | $780 |
| Hourly | $19.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,230 | $31.84 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,230 | $21.27 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $40,560 a year, or $19.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $49,320 a year. The top 25% earn $45,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,830 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $39,500 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 4,830 nursing assistants are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.