Nursing Assistant salary in Wilmington, NC
Nursing Assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $37,710 a year ($18.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,100 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $38,460. There are 12 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| 25th percentile | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Median | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| 75th percentile | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Average (mean) | $38,100 | $18.32 |
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 | $3,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,571.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,450.38 |
| Weekly | $725.19 |
| Hourly | $18.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| Massage Therapist | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $49,590 | $23.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $37,710 a year, or $18.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $47,100 a year. The top 25% earn $43,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,710 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $33,280 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Wilmington, NC?
About 2,390 nursing assistants are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.