Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $23.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Charlotte, NC runs $23.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,292 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical assistants in Charlotte, NC, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.47 in 2026, slightly exceeding the national median of $23.06. This hourly rate provides a solid income for those working part-time in various healthcare settings, such as primary care exam rooms, specialty practices, urgent care intake areas, outpatient clinics, and corporate wellness facilities. For those looking at part-time work three days a week, the income can still offer a reasonable lifestyle, while per-diem opportunities can enhance earnings. With the hourly range extending from $18.49 for entry-level positions up to $28.69 for seasoned professionals, this pay scale reflects the growing demand for medical assistants in Charlotte, which has seen a workforce increase, driven by the city's expanding healthcare industry.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.49 | $147.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.08 | $160.65 |
| Median (P50) | $23.47 | $187.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.73 | $197.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.69 | $229.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $23.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.47/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $48,820 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,166. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $938.85 | $4,068 | $48,820 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $563.31 | $2,441 | $29,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $375.54 | $1,627 | $19,528 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Charlotte) | $23.47 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $48,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 6.90% above the North Carolina state average of $45,680.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.47/hr = $29,292/year (purchasing power: $30,090).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,820/year (purchasing power: $50,150).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Charlotte grew 34.5% from $16.62/hr (2019) to $22.36/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.64/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
Examining the financial landscape further, part-time medical assistants working a typical 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $36,661 annually, a significant amount when compared to full-time earnings. For those taking on per-diem roles, the pay often falls between $20 and $30 per hour, especially in urgent care settings where longer shifts may offer additional stipends from $50 to $150 per shift. Specialties such as dermatology or plastics might even see per-diem rates rise to between $25 and $38 per hour. Various employer types—ranging from primary care offices and urgent care chains like CityMD to specialty practices and corporate clinics—also influence hourly rates. Some medical assistants might opt for slightly lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, explaining the trade-off many face when considering their compensation options in Charlotte. Negotiation skills can prove invaluable, as hourly workers should emphasize their certifications and specialties during discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Charlotte, 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
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 Charlotte. 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