Medical Assistant Salary in Gastonia, NC: $47,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Gastonia, NC earns a median $47,791/year (≈ $22.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $51,059 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gastonia, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants reaches $47,791 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $47,961. Local salaries range from $38,115 at the 10th percentile to as high as $61,153 for those in the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, reflect the nuances in salary tied to specific skill sets and local market demand. Notably, bilingual medical assistants—particularly those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin—tend to command a salary premium, illustrating the benefits of language proficiency in Gastonia's diverse healthcare setting.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,115 | $18.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,222 | $19.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,791 | $22.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,233 | $24.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,153 | $29.40 |
Median Salary Position
0.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,038 (2026 est.). At $47,791, the local median is 0.35% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $47,791/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $45,689 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -0.35% less |
Medical Assistants in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $47,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.60% above the North Carolina state average of $45,689.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $47,791 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,059 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,677
2025 BLS Actual
$45,528
2026 Current Est.
$47,791
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,723 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,134 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,851 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,462 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,166 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $34,677 (2019) to $45,528 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,166 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,489 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $38,115 – $40,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,222 – $47,791 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,791 – $51,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,233 – $61,153 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Gastonia
As of 2026, Gastonia employs a modest number of medical assistants, with just 16 in the field, highlighting potential demand growth. The city's cost of living index of 93.6 suggests a slightly lower-than-average housing market, allowing for better purchasing power despite the local salaries. In terms of employers, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics often offer higher pay compared to primary care offices and urgent care facilities. Disparities in wages reflect various factors, including specialization, bilingual abilities, certification such as MA combined with phlebotomy or EKG training, and the type of healthcare facility. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, focusing on specialties with higher premiums and pursuing certifications from AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT can be effective strategies in enhancing overall medical assistant pay in Gastonia, NC.
More salary data for Gastonia, NC:
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 $45,528 for medical assistantsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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