Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $18.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in New Orleans, LA runs $18.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,608 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,174 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For medical assistants in New Orleans, the projected hourly pay for 2026 stands at $18.57, which significantly trails behind the national median of $23.06 per hour. This disparity has implications beyond mere numbers; it affects part-time positions and per-diem work opportunities available in various healthcare settings like primary care offices, urgent care clinics, and specialty practices. A typical part-time medical assistant working three days a week may find that their rate leads to a more limited weekly income, falling within the state's hourly pay range of $15.60 at the lowest (P10) to $23.47 at the upper edge (P90). With the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data guiding these figures, individuals entering this field should be mindful of both the entry-level expectations and their potential earnings as they gain experience.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.60 | $124.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.14 | $145.11 |
| Median (P50) | $18.57 | $148.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.76 | $166.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.47 | $187.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $18.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.57/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $38,624 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,283. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $742.77 | $3,219 | $38,624 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $445.66 | $1,931 | $23,174 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $297.11 | $1,287 | $15,450 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (New Orleans) | $18.57 |
| 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 New Orleans, LA earn a median of $38,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.50% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.90% above the Louisiana state average of $37,888.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.57/hr = $23,174/year (purchasing power: $25,027).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,624/year (purchasing power: $41,712).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in New Orleans grew 19.4% from $14.82/hr (2019) to $17.69/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.49/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
When considering part-time or per-diem roles, medical assistants in LA can balance flexibility with earnings potential that varies widely by employer type. Those working three days a week could expect to take home around $25,000 annually, substantiating a constrained income when compared to full-time opportunities. However, being a per diem medical assistant in New Orleans can yield higher pay rates, with some specialties offering premium rates that range from $25 to $38 per hour, particularly in high-demand fields like dermatology or orthopedic medicine. Urgent care facilities may provide extra stipends of $50 to $150 for longer shifts, making it an attractive option for those willing to commit to flexible schedules. Medical assistants should also weigh the benefits of positions offering health insurance against potentially higher hourly rates in roles that do not provide such perks. For those negotiating their pay, it's advisable to research specific employer offerings and consider the local market's competitive landscape to optimize their earnings.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in New Orleans in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in New Orleans?
Are medical assistants in New Orleans paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical assistant make per year in New Orleans?
Do medical assistants earn more per hour working part-time in New Orleans?
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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 New Orleans. 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