Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $20.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Aiken, SC runs $20.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,525 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,519 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Aiken, South Carolina are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $20.45, which is below the national average of $23.06. This rate offers significant opportunity for those considering part-time work; a medical assistant working three days a week can still earn a respectable income within the local healthcare system, which includes primary care offices, urgent care facilities, hospital outpatient clinics, and specialty practices. The hourly pay can fluctuate, ranging from $16.62 for entry-level positions to as high as $25.90 for more experienced professionals. This estimated range reflects the diverse financial landscape that medical assistants can expect in Aiken, based on various factors including experience and specific job responsibilities across different healthcare environments.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($37,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.62 | $132.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.31 | $138.48 |
| Median (P50) | $20.45 | $163.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.85 | $174.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.90 | $207.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $20.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.45/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $42,532 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,538. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $817.93 | $3,544 | $42,532 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $490.76 | $2,127 | $25,519 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $327.17 | $1,418 | $17,013 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Aiken) | $20.45 |
| 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 Aiken, SC earn a median of $42,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.33% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $42,868.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.45/hr = $25,519/year (purchasing power: $27,890).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,532/year (purchasing power: $46,483).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Aiken grew 31.3% from $14.84/hr (2019) to $19.48/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.46/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 Aiken 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 Aiken
Part-time medical assistants working 24 hours a week can anticipate annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts, yet still viable. For instance, a per diem medical assistant in Aiken may find themselves billing anywhere from $20 to $30 per hour, with specialists in fields such as dermatology and plastics seeing rates soar to between $25 and $38. Urgent care settings might further elevate earning potential with attractive stipends on 12-hour shifts. Given the range of employers, from corporate occupational health clinics to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), hourly rates vary widely and may include benefits that could sway hourly workers towards lower pay for increased job security. When negotiating, it is imperative to articulate value based on both experience and local industry standards, considering that some medical assistants may prefer steady, lower-paying roles for the healthcare benefits that can accompany them in Aiken, SC.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Aiken. 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 Aiken 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