Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Burlington, NC: $36,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Burlington, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,750 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 93.2 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,433 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($45,400) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Within Burlington, North Carolina, recent projections for 2026 indicate that entry-level medical assistants can expect a starting salary around $36,750, reflecting their initial foray into the healthcare field. This figure, although slightly below the median annual salary of $45,400 for the region, suggests a reasonable growth trajectory as new graduates typically advance from the lower pay grades over the first few years. New professionals can realistically anticipate increases as they gain experience, moving towards the P25 salary of $39,311 and possibly reaching the median within three to five years of employment. Given Burlington's employment opportunities, particularly in outpatient settings, this appears to be a growing market for new graduates who are currently seeking career entry in medical assistance.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level medical assistants in Burlington, NC typically start between $36,750 and $39,311 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,233 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $45,400 — 5.34% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in North Carolina of $5,000 represents just 13.61% of the starting medical assistant pay ($36,750/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $36,750 to $39,311, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Burlington is $18,233 ( 49.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,750, experienced hygienists can earn up to $54,983.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,870
2025 BLS Actual
$35,010
2026 Current Est.
$36,750
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,576 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, NC grew 30.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,870 in 2019 to $35,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,576. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Burlington
In Burlington, several types of employers actively hire new graduate medical assistants, primarily within primary care offices and urgent care chains known for their structured onboarding programs. These positions often serve as springboards for those just starting, while specialty practices, like dermatology or orthopedics, may require prior experience and offer higher compensation—20-40% more than general practices. For recent graduates looking to enhance their qualifications, obtaining credentials such as CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA) can significantly increase their marketability and starting medical assistant pay in NC. Early career strategies should focus on gaining diverse experience, as the medical assistant workforce is projected to grow rapidly, especially in primary care and corporate occupational health. By capitalizing on these trends and pursuing additional training or certifications, entry-level professionals in this sector can realistically expect to see their salaries rise as they establish their careers.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov