Medical Assistant Salary in Bristol, VA: $40,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Bristol, VA earns a median $40,849/year (≈ $19.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $39,582 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $40,849 in 2026, medical assistants in Bristol, Virginia, experience a wage that is approximately 14.83% lower than the national average of $47,961 for the same year. The salary range varies significantly, from $34,307 at the 10th percentile to $50,099 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for growth and advancement in this field. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. In a diverse marketplace like Bristol, bilingual medical assistants—especially those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin—may command higher salaries due to their ability to cater to varied patient populations. The local market demonstrates a steady demand for skilled medical assistants, reflecting the essential role they play in healthcare delivery.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,307 | $16.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,173 | $16.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,849 | $19.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,084 | $20.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,099 | $24.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,792 (2026 est.). At $40,849, the local median is 14.83% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Bristol median: $40,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $42,199 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -14.83% less |
Medical Assistants in Bristol, VA earn a median of $40,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.83% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $42,199.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $40,849 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $39,582 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,640
2025 BLS Actual
$38,915
2026 Current Est.
$40,849
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,534 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,675 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,595 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,696 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $29,640 (2019) to $38,915 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,239 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $34,307 – $35,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,173 – $40,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,849 – $43,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,084 – $50,099 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Bristol
Analyzing the job market for medical assistants reveals that only six are currently employed in Bristol, highlighting a niche segment of the workforce in an area where the cost of living sits slightly above the national average at a CoL index of 103.2. This context can impact the real purchasing power of local salaries. Employers such as urgent care clinics and specialty practices often offer higher compensation compared to primary care offices due to the specialized skill sets they require. Factors that contribute to the variations in pay include the type of practice, which tends to favor specialties like dermatology and orthopedics, and additional qualifications such as phlebotomy and EKG certifications. Strategies for maximizing compensation in Bristol might involve pursuing dual certification, seeking roles in high-demand specialty areas, and emphasizing bilingual skills to enhance employability and earning potential in a competitive healthcare environment.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $38,915 for medical assistantsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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