Medical Assistant Pay

Augusta vs Cartersville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Augusta, GA and Cartersville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$40,382
$19.42/hr
Cartersville, GA
$38,030
$18.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GACartersville, GA
Median Salary$40,382$38,030
Hourly Rate$19.42$18.29
Entry Level (P10)$33,727$31,313
25th Percentile$38,062$32,290
75th Percentile$45,326$38,819
Top Earner (P90)$50,837$44,737
Total Employed1,6204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($40,382) and Cartersville ($38,030) medical assistant salaries.AugustaCartersvilleMedian Salary$40,382$38,030Entry Level (P10)$33,727$31,313Top Earner (P90)$50,837$44,737US Median $47,961

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cartersville.

The salary gap between Augusta and Cartersville is $2,352 (6.18%). Augusta's median is -15.80% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $17,110,Cartersville spans $13,424. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$33,727
P25$38,062
Median$40,382
P75$45,326
P90 (Top)$50,837
Cartersville
P10 (Entry)$31,313
P25$32,290
Median$38,030
P75$38,819
P90 (Top)$44,737

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($43,940 effective) pays 7.57% more than Cartersville ($40,849 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $40,382
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $43,940
Cartersville
Nominal: $38,030
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $40,849

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,382/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,837)
  • Larger job market (1,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,940)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Cartersville if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Augusta grew 24.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.5% growth in Cartersville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+24.0%

$31,030 (2019) → $38,470 (2025)

Cartersville, GA

+7.5%

$33,698 (2024) → $36,229 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Augusta or Cartersville?

Augusta has a higher median medical assistant salary at $40,382/year, compared to Cartersville at $38,030/year — a difference of $2,352 (6.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Cartersville?

Augusta medical assistants earn $19.42/hr while Cartersville hygienists earn $18.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Cartersville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Cartersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $43,940, Cartersville = $40,849), job availability (1,620 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Augusta vs Cartersville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $33,727 in Augusta and $31,313 in Cartersville. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov