Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $17.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in McAllen, TX runs $17.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,540 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,930 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In McAllen, Texas, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected to be $17.57 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national median of $23.06. This rate reflects the local economy's impact, particularly for part-time workers who might schedule shifts three days a week. If they work 24 hours weekly, their earnings would approximate $21,846 annually, while a full-time medical assistant could see figures closer to $36,540. The hourly pay range for medical assistants in McAllen varies, starting as low as $13.75 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $20.93 for more experienced practitioners. Various settings such as primary care offices and specialty practices dictate pay differences due to the demand and type of services rendered. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.75 | $110.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.50 | $115.97 |
| Median (P50) | $17.57 | $140.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.95 | $151.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.93 | $167.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $17.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.57/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $36,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,086. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $702.88 | $3,046 | $36,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $421.73 | $1,827 | $21,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $281.15 | $1,218 | $14,620 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (McAllen) | $17.57 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $36,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.81% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 7.20% below the Texas state average of $39,375.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.57/hr = $21,930/year (purchasing power: $25,531).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,550/year (purchasing power: $42,552).
CoL index: 85.895 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in McAllen grew 35.2% from $12.38/hr (2019) to $16.74/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.45/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
Part-time medical assistants operating three days a week can face a significant income disparity compared to their full-time counterparts. For those who work limited hours, the earning potential tops out around $21,846 annually, making it essential to consider the benefits offered by full-time positions, including healthcare and retirement plans. Per diem medical assistant pay in McAllen provides another layer of opportunity, with hourly rates typically ranging from $20 to $30. More specialized roles in fields like dermatology and plastics might command rates between $25 and $38. Urgent care facilities can also boost earnings through dynamic shift stipends. Competing in various healthcare settings—whether in a FQHC or a corporate health clinic—factors dramatically into how much MAs can reasonably expect to make. Medical assistants may choose roles with lower hourly rates for stable benefits, or seek higher wages without traditional perks. Negotiating hourly pay successfully requires understanding what other employers offer and demonstrating the value of certifications like those from AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT.
More salary data for McAllen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in McAllen in 2026?
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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 McAllen. 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