Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $21.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Salisbury, NC runs $21.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,947 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, medical assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $21.59, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $23.06. This pay rate becomes especially relevant for part-time medical assistants working three days a week, or those engaged in per-diem roles across various settings such as primary care exam rooms and hospital outpatient clinics. The hourly range for medical assistants in Salisbury spans from $17.19 for entry-level positions to about $26.14 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting a significant diversity within the workforce. Given that these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, they underscore the varying earning potential based on individual qualifications and specialties within the healthcare landscape.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.19 | $137.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.03 | $144.27 |
| Median (P50) | $21.59 | $172.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.39 | $179.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.14 | $209.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $21.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.59/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $44,912 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,911. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $863.69 | $3,743 | $44,912 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $518.22 | $2,246 | $26,947 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $345.48 | $1,497 | $17,965 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Salisbury) | $21.59 |
| 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 Salisbury, NC earn a median of $44,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $45,679.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.59/hr = $26,947/year (purchasing power: $28,790).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,912/year (purchasing power: $47,983).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Salisbury grew 31.3% from $15.67/hr (2019) to $20.57/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.67/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
For those considering a part-time commitment, a medical assistant working 24 hours a week could potentially take home significantly different earnings compared to a full-time position. Typically, part-time work might yield an annual income considerably less than the $44,902 full-time limit suggests. Meanwhile, for per diem roles, rates can vary widely, with many per-diem medical assistants charging between $20 to $30 per hour. In specialty practices like dermatology or plastics, per diem pay can rise to between $25 and $38 per hour, while urgent care shifts often provide stipends ranging from $50 to $150 per shift on top of base rates. The type of employer significantly impacts hourly rates; positions in primary care offices often pay less than those in emergency or specialist settings, reflecting both the demand for medical assistants and the benefits offered by employers. For those negotiating pay, understanding these differences and prioritizing benefits versus higher hourly rates will make a considerable difference in career satisfaction and overall compensation.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Salisbury in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Salisbury?
Are medical assistants in Salisbury paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical assistant make per year in Salisbury?
Do medical assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Salisbury?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Salisbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salisbury is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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