Medical Assistant Pay

Atlanta vs Marietta: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$48,349
$23.25/hr
Marietta, GA
$39,199
$18.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAMarietta, GA
Median Salary$48,349$39,199
Hourly Rate$23.25$18.84
Entry Level (P10)$38,146$32,120
25th Percentile$40,476$33,605
75th Percentile$49,976$42,605
Top Earner (P90)$61,208$51,282
Total Employed16,91015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($48,349) and Marietta ($39,199) medical assistant salaries.AtlantaMariettaMedian Salary$48,349$39,199Entry Level (P10)$38,146$32,120Top Earner (P90)$61,208$51,282US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Marietta is $9,150 (23.34%). 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,Marietta spans $19,162. 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
Marietta
P10 (Entry)$32,120
P25$33,605
Median$39,199
P75$42,605
P90 (Top)$51,282

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($48,321 effective) pays 14.77% more than Marietta ($42,104 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $48,349
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $48,321
Marietta
Nominal: $39,199
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $42,104

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 Marietta 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 Marietta over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+31.6%

$35,000 (2019) → $46,060 (2025)

Marietta, GA

+7.5%

$34,734 (2024) → $37,343 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Atlanta or Marietta?

Atlanta has a higher median medical assistant salary at $48,349/year, compared to Marietta at $39,199/year — a difference of $9,150 (23.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Marietta?

Atlanta medical assistants earn $23.25/hr while Marietta hygienists earn $18.84/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Marietta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $48,321, Marietta = $42,104), job availability (16,910 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,146 in Atlanta and $32,120 in Marietta. 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