Medical Assistant Pay

Beckley vs Morgantown: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Beckley, WV and Morgantown, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beckley, WV
$37,989
$18.26/hr
Morgantown, WV
$39,301
$18.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeckley, WVMorgantown, WV
Median Salary$37,989$39,301
Hourly Rate$18.26$18.89
Entry Level (P10)$31,963$32,772
25th Percentile$36,897$38,020
75th Percentile$39,700$39,857
Top Earner (P90)$45,421$47,048
Total Employed380580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beckley ($37,989) and Morgantown ($39,301) medical assistant salaries.BeckleyMorgantownMedian Salary$37,989$39,301Entry Level (P10)$31,963$32,772Top Earner (P90)$45,421$47,048US Median $47,961

Verdict

Morgantown, WV offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Beckley.

The salary gap between Beckley and Morgantown is $1,312 (3.45%). Morgantown's median is -18.06% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beckley spans $13,458,Morgantown spans $14,276. Morgantown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Beckley
P10 (Entry)$31,963
P25$36,897
Median$37,989
P75$39,700
P90 (Top)$45,421
Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$32,772
P25$38,020
Median$39,301
P75$39,857
P90 (Top)$47,048

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Beckley ($42,989 effective) pays 2.08% more than Morgantown ($42,113 effective).

Beckley
Nominal: $37,989
CoL Index: 88.369
Adjusted: $42,989
Morgantown
Nominal: $39,301
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $42,113

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beckley if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,989)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,301/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,048)
  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Beckley grew 24.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.0% growth in Morgantown over the same period.

Beckley, WV

+24.1%

$29,170 (2019) → $36,190 (2025)

Morgantown, WV

+39.0%

$26,940 (2019) → $37,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Beckley or Morgantown?

Morgantown has a higher median medical assistant salary at $39,301/year, compared to Beckley at $37,989/year — a difference of $1,312 (3.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beckley and Morgantown?

Beckley medical assistants earn $18.26/hr while Morgantown hygienists earn $18.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beckley to Morgantown as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beckley and Morgantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beckley = $42,989, Morgantown = $42,113), job availability (380 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Beckley vs Morgantown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $31,963 in Beckley and $32,772 in Morgantown. The Morgantown 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