Nursing Assistant Salary in Durham, NC
Nursing Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $40,560 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,660 take-home, or $2,805 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$2,687
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,515
- Medicare (1.45%)$588
- North Carolina income tax$1,110
- Take-home pay$33,660
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,830 | $17.71 | $30,812 | $2,568 |
| 25th percentile | $39,500 | $18.99 | $32,851 | $2,738 |
| Median (50th) | $40,560 | $19.50 | $33,660 | $2,805 |
| 75th percentile | $45,770 | $22.00 | $37,639 | $3,137 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,320 | $23.71 | $40,349 | $3,362 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,560 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $33,660 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,498 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.5× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #213 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 213 | Durham, NC | $40,560 | $33,660 | $34,498 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Greenville, NC — $39,480
- Goldsboro, NC — $38,540
- Rocky Mount, NC — $37,650
- Hickory, NC — $37,430
- Winston, NC — $38,660
- Pinehurst, NC — $36,930
- Burlington, NC — $39,090
- Asheville, NC — $40,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Durham, NC?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $40,560 a year, or about $19.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,500 and $45,770.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $40,560 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $33,660 a year ($2,805 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,110 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,498 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #213 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Dental Assistant — $51,670
- Medical Assistant — $46,450
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $37,980
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $33,630