Medical Assistant Pay

Medical Assistant Salary in Vestavia Hills, AL: $36,147 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Vestavia Hills, AL earns a median $36,147/year (≈ $17.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Vestavia Hills's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $41,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Alabama state average.

$36,147
Median Annual Salary
$17.38/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$29,329
Entry Level (P10)
$45,731
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Assistant Salary in Vestavia Hills, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Vestavia Hills, AL medical assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, medical assistants in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $36,147, reflecting local market conditions and cost adjustments based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data. The salary range for this role spans from $29,329 at the tenth percentile (P10) to $45,731 at the ninetieth percentile (P90). This income level indicates a notable discrepancy compared to the national median of $47,961, highlighting the regional nuances in medical assistant pay in Vestavia Hills. Given the growing demand for healthcare services and the potential for career advancement through pathways into nursing (LPN/RN), the prospects for those entering this field appear promising.

About the Vestavia Hills Market

Salary estimated from Alabama average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$29,329$14.10
Lower Range (P25)$30,573$14.70
Median (P50)(typical)$36,147$17.38
Upper Range (P75)$38,609$18.56
Top Earners (P90)$45,731$21.99

Median Salary Position

$29,329$47,961
City Median: $36,147
National: $47,961
P10–P90 Range

24.63% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vestavia Hills

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical assistants in Vestavia Hills. The median salary is $36,147, compared to the national median of $47,961.$26.4K$32.4K$38.4K$44.4K$50.4K$29.3K10th Pctl$30.6K25th Pctl$36.1KMedian$38.6K75th Pctl$45.7K90th PctlUS Median$48.0K

In Vestavia Hills, AL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,402 (2026 est.). At $36,147, the local median is 24.63% below the national median of $47,961.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical assistant pay in the Vestavia Hills metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$695
per week
$3,013
per month
$36,157
per year

At 40 hours/week in Vestavia Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Vestavia Hills Medical Assistant Pay Compares

Vestavia Hills median: $36,147/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryVestavia Hills Pays
Alabama Average$37,654-4.00% less
National Average$47,961-24.63% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical assistant median salary in Vestavia Hills ($36,147) with Alabama average ($37,654) and the US national median ($47,961).Vestavia Hills$36,147Alabama Avg$37,654-4.00%US National$47,961-24.63%

Medical Assistants in Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $36,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.63% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $37,654.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$36,147
Nominal Salary
87.9
CoL Index
$41,123
Adjusted Salary

Vestavia Hills has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $36,147. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 87.9, the purchasing-power equivalent is $41,123, a gain of $4,976.$30.7K$36.8K$42.9K$49.0K$55.2K$36,147NominalSalary$41,123CoL Adjusted(CoL: 87.9) 13.77%US Median $48.0K

Vestavia Hills, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $36,147 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$26,228

2025 BLS Actual

$34,436

2026 Current Est.

$36,147

2019–2027 Growth

+44.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Vestavia Hills (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical assistants in Vestavia Hills. Baseline $26,228 in 2025, projected to $37,944 by 2027.$23.9K$28.0K$32.1K$36.2K$40.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$26.2K$27.0K$28.0K$28.8K$31.7K$28.7K$34.4K$36.1K$37.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$26,228Actual
2020$27,020Actual
2021$28,030Actual
2022$28,844Actual
2023$31,655Actual
2024$28,691Actual
2025$34,436Actual
2026(current)$36,147Estimated
2027$37,944Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $26,228 (2019) to $34,436 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,716 (44.67%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$29,329$30,573
3-5 years (Mid Career)$30,573$36,147
5+ years (Experienced)$36,147$38,609
10+ years (Top Earner)$38,609$45,731

MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Medical Assistant Job Market in Vestavia Hills

A total of eight medical assistants are currently employed in Vestavia Hills, with the local cost of living index at 87.9, indicating a lower-than-average expense of living compared to national benchmarks. This lower cost can enhance the take-home pay of medical assistants, allowing for a better quality of life relative to other regions with higher living costs. Among the various employers in the area, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically offer the highest salaries, driven by the demand for specialized skills and experience. Factors affecting pay variations include certifications (e.g., phlebotomy or EKG), bilingual capabilities, and the type of practice. To maximize potential earnings, aspiring medical assistants should pursue additional certifications and consider roles in urgent care settings where pay shifts can further enhance their compensation packages in Vestavia Hills, AL.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical assistants make in Vestavia Hills, AL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical assistant salary in Vestavia Hills is $36,147/year ($17.38/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.97% annual growth). Salaries range from $29,329 at entry level (10th percentile) to $45,731 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Vestavia Hills at 24.6% below the national median. Full-time medical assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Vestavia Hills, AL a good place to work as a medical assistant?

Vestavia Hills medical assistant salaries are 24.6% below the national average and 4.0% below the Alabama state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 medical assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical assistants make $100K in Vestavia Hills?

The median medical assistant salary in Vestavia Hills is $36,147, and the 90th percentile earns $45,731. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Vestavia Hills?

After adjusting for Vestavia Hills's cost-of-living index of 87.9 (where 100 equals the national average), the $36,147 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $41,123 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 13.8% further in Vestavia Hills compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Vestavia Hills?

Medical Assistants in Vestavia Hills earn a median hourly rate of $17.38, which translates to approximately $36,147/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $14.10 for entry-level positions to $21.99 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $34,436 for medical assistantsin the Vestavia Hills metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Vestavia Hills is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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