Medical Assistant Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $45,693 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $45,693/year (≈ $21.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $51,726 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Pinehurst, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $45,693, reflecting a pay gradient influenced significantly by the type of practice. Those working in specialty fields such as dermatology and orthopedics often command higher salaries, with a salary range spanning from $36,918 at the 10th percentile to $50,533 for those at the 90th percentile. This data is sourced from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which highlight the evolving demand and compensation trends within the local healthcare market. Comparatively, the median salary in Pinehurst is about 4.73% lower than the national average, suggesting that while the area offers competitive pay, professionals may find slightly more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,918 | $17.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,807 | $18.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,693 | $21.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,037 | $22.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,533 | $24.30 |
Median Salary Position
4.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,615 (2026 est.). At $45,693, the local median is 4.73% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be above the median
How Pinehurst Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $45,693/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $47,961 | -4.73% less |
Medical Assistants in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $45,693 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.73% lower than the national median of $47,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst has a cost of living 11.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.336 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $45,693 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,726 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,155
2025 BLS Actual
$43,530
2026 Current Est.
$45,693
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,155 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,155 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,461 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,014 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,693 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,964 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $33,155 (2019) to $43,530 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,964 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,809 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $36,918 – $38,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,807 – $45,693 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,693 – $47,037 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,037 – $50,533 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Pinehurst
In terms of the local job market, Pinehurst employs approximately 310 medical assistants, providing a moderate level of job security in a growing field, particularly as the demand in urgent care facilities and corporate health settings rises. The cost of living index stands at 88.336, indicating that although the salaries may be lower than the national average, medical assistants in Pinehurst can expect an effective purchasing power that could balance the disparity. Employers such as specialty practices in cardiology and dermatology typically offer the highest wages, while primary care facilities represent the baseline for compensation. Factors contributing to the salary variance include bilingual skill premiums, certification levels, and the complexity of job responsibilities. To maximize earning potential in Pinehurst, aspiring medical assistants should consider obtaining additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG, which can create opportunities for higher pay, especially in specialized settings.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $43,530 for medical assistantsin the Pinehurst 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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