Medical Assistant Pay

Atlanta vs Dunwoody: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Atlanta, GA and Dunwoody, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$48,349
$23.25/hr
Dunwoody, GA
$38,687
$18.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GADunwoody, GA
Median Salary$48,349$38,687
Hourly Rate$23.25$18.60
Entry Level (P10)$38,146$30,898
25th Percentile$40,476$31,718
75th Percentile$49,976$41,446
Top Earner (P90)$61,208$49,609
Total Employed16,91010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($48,349) and Dunwoody ($38,687) medical assistant salaries.AtlantaDunwoodyMedian Salary$48,349$38,687Entry Level (P10)$38,146$30,898Top Earner (P90)$61,208$49,609US Median $47,961

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dunwoody.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Dunwoody is $9,662 (24.97%). Atlanta's median is +0.81% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $23,062,Dunwoody spans $18,711. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$38,146
P25$40,476
Median$48,349
P75$49,976
P90 (Top)$61,208
Dunwoody
P10 (Entry)$30,898
P25$31,718
Median$38,687
P75$41,446
P90 (Top)$49,609

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($48,321 effective) pays 16.28% more than Dunwoody ($41,554 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $48,349
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $48,321
Dunwoody
Nominal: $38,687
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $41,554

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,349/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,208)
  • Larger job market (16,910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,321)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Dunwoody if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Atlanta grew 31.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.5% growth in Dunwoody over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+31.6%

$35,000 (2019) → $46,060 (2025)

Dunwoody, GA

+7.5%

$34,280 (2024) → $36,855 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Atlanta or Dunwoody?

Atlanta has a higher median medical assistant salary at $48,349/year, compared to Dunwoody at $38,687/year — a difference of $9,662 (24.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Dunwoody?

Atlanta medical assistants earn $23.25/hr while Dunwoody hygienists earn $18.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Dunwoody as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Dunwoody. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $48,321, Dunwoody = $41,554), job availability (16,910 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Atlanta vs Dunwoody?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,146 in Atlanta and $30,898 in Dunwoody. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

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