Medical Assistant Pay

Anniston vs Huntsville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Anniston, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anniston, AL
$36,635
$17.61/hr
Huntsville, AL
$38,755
$18.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnniston, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$36,635$38,755
Hourly Rate$17.61$18.63
Entry Level (P10)$30,903$32,761
25th Percentile$31,218$37,527
75th Percentile$37,947$42,282
Top Earner (P90)$45,295$47,205
Total Employed3201,720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anniston ($36,635) and Huntsville ($38,755) medical assistant salaries.AnnistonHuntsvilleMedian Salary$36,635$38,755Entry Level (P10)$30,903$32,761Top Earner (P90)$45,295$47,205US Median $47,961

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Anniston.

The salary gap between Anniston and Huntsville is $2,120 (5.79%). Huntsville's median is -19.19% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anniston spans $14,392,Huntsville spans $14,444. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Anniston
P10 (Entry)$30,903
P25$31,218
Median$36,635
P75$37,947
P90 (Top)$45,295
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$32,761
P25$37,527
Median$38,755
P75$42,282
P90 (Top)$47,205

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anniston ($42,624 effective) pays 2.36% more than Huntsville ($41,640 effective).

Anniston
Nominal: $36,635
CoL Index: 85.949
Adjusted: $42,624
Huntsville
Nominal: $38,755
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $41,640

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anniston if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,624)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,755/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,205)
  • Larger job market (1,720 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Anniston grew 17.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.6% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Anniston, AL

+17.4%

$29,730 (2019) → $34,900 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+26.6%

$29,160 (2019) → $36,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Anniston or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median medical assistant salary at $38,755/year, compared to Anniston at $36,635/year — a difference of $2,120 (5.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anniston and Huntsville?

Anniston medical assistants earn $17.61/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $18.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anniston to Huntsville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anniston and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anniston = $42,624, Huntsville = $41,640), job availability (320 vs 1,720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Anniston vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $30,903 in Anniston and $32,761 in Huntsville. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov