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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
24.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vestavia Hills
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Vestavia Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $37,654 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -24.63% less |
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
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.
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,228 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,655 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,691 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,147 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,944 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vestavia Hills 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated 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.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
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
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).
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