Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $21.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Lakeland, FL runs $21.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,856 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,318 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected at $21.09 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $23.06. This rate can provide a stable income for part-time workers who typically might work three days a week, totaling around 24 hours. In settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care intake stations, and specialty practices, medical assistants can expect an entry-level hourly rate beginning at around $17.84, with the top earners reaching up to $23.68. These official BLS figures help delineate the economic reality for medical assistants who choose various working arrangements, whether full-time or part-time, across different healthcare environments in the Lakeland area.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.84 | $142.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.24 | $145.95 |
| Median (P50) | $21.09 | $168.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.17 | $185.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.68 | $189.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $21.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.09/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $43,864 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,306. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $843.54 | $3,655 | $43,864 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $506.12 | $2,193 | $26,318 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $337.42 | $1,462 | $17,546 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Lakeland) | $21.09 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Lakeland, FL earn a median of $43,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.56% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.10% above the Florida state average of $43,379.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.09/hr = $26,318/year (purchasing power: $27,093).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,864/year (purchasing power: $45,155).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Lakeland grew 37.7% from $14.59/hr (2019) to $20.09/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.14/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakeland 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Lakeland
Analyzing the potential earnings for medical assistants reveals distinct opportunities based on work structure. A medical assistant working part-time for 24 hours a week can take home approximately $26,302 annually, compared to those employed full-time who may find more financial stability. Per diem medical assistant pay in Lakeland typically varies between $20 to $30 per hour, with specialty practices like dermatology or plastics potentially paying between $25 and $38 per hour. Urgent care facilities often offer stipends for long shifts that can enhance take-home pay further. Hourly rates can also fluctuate based on employer type, with corporate occupational health clinics and federally qualified health centers providing different compensation packages. Many medical assistants might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, making negotiations critical when considering one's hourly rate, particularly in Lakeland's competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Lakeland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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