Medical Assistant Pay

Birmingham vs Homewood: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Birmingham, AL
$38,597
$18.56/hr
Homewood, AL
$36,378
$17.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHomewood, AL
Median Salary$38,597$36,378
Hourly Rate$18.56$17.49
Entry Level (P10)$32,667$30,951
25th Percentile$36,970$31,857
75th Percentile$41,495$39,152
Top Earner (P90)$50,323$46,374
Total Employed3,7505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($38,597) and Homewood ($36,378) medical assistant salaries.BirminghamHomewoodMedian Salary$38,597$36,378Entry Level (P10)$32,667$30,951Top Earner (P90)$50,323$46,374US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Homewood is $2,219 (6.10%). Birmingham's median is -19.52% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $17,656,Homewood spans $15,423. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$32,667
P25$36,970
Median$38,597
P75$41,495
P90 (Top)$50,323
Homewood
P10 (Entry)$30,951
P25$31,857
Median$36,378
P75$39,152
P90 (Top)$46,374

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($42,116 effective) pays 1.77% more than Homewood ($41,386 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $38,597
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,116
Homewood
Nominal: $36,378
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $41,386

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,597/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,323)
  • Larger job market (3,750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,116)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Homewood if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Birmingham grew 21.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Homewood over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+21.8%

$30,180 (2019) → $36,770 (2025)

Homewood, AL

+20.0%

$28,875 (2024) → $34,656 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Birmingham or Homewood?

Birmingham has a higher median medical assistant salary at $38,597/year, compared to Homewood at $36,378/year — a difference of $2,219 (6.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Homewood?

Birmingham medical assistants earn $18.56/hr while Homewood hygienists earn $17.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Homewood as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Homewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,116, Homewood = $41,386), job availability (3,750 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Birmingham vs Homewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $32,667 in Birmingham and $30,951 in Homewood. The Birmingham 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