Nursing Assistant Salary in Hickory, NC
Nursing Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $37,430 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,270 take-home, or $2,606 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,312
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,321
- Medicare (1.45%)$543
- North Carolina income tax$985
- Take-home pay$31,270
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,240 | $15.02 | $26,544 | $2,212 |
| 25th percentile | $36,530 | $17.56 | $30,583 | $2,549 |
| Median (50th) | $37,430 | $18.00 | $31,270 | $2,606 |
| 75th percentile | $39,820 | $19.14 | $33,095 | $2,758 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,860 | $21.57 | $36,944 | $3,079 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,430 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $31,270 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,339 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Hickory, NC has 1.9× 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
Hickory, NC ranks #174 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 |
| 174 | Hickory, NC | $37,430 | $31,270 | $35,339 |
*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
- Winston, NC — $38,660
- Pinehurst, NC — $36,930
- Burlington, NC — $39,090
- Asheville, NC — $40,170
- Durham, NC — $40,560
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Hickory, NC?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $37,430 a year, or about $18.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,530 and $39,820.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $37,430 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $31,270 a year ($2,606 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $985 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,339 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #174 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Medical Assistant — $43,290
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $30,490