Medical Assistant Pay

Charlotte vs Kernersville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Charlotte, NC and Kernersville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$48,832
$23.47/hr
Kernersville, NC
$45,275
$21.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCKernersville, NC
Median Salary$48,832$45,275
Hourly Rate$23.47$21.77
Entry Level (P10)$38,440$36,734
25th Percentile$41,778$38,293
75th Percentile$51,446$48,358
Top Earner (P90)$59,665$57,278
Total Employed6,0606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($48,832) and Kernersville ($45,275) medical assistant salaries.CharlotteKernersvilleMedian Salary$48,832$45,275Entry Level (P10)$38,440$36,734Top Earner (P90)$59,665$57,278US Median $47,961

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kernersville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Kernersville is $3,557 (7.86%). Charlotte's median is +1.82% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $21,225,Kernersville spans $20,544. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$38,440
P25$41,778
Median$48,832
P75$51,446
P90 (Top)$59,665
Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$36,734
P25$38,293
Median$45,275
P75$48,358
P90 (Top)$57,278

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($50,162 effective) pays 3.70% more than Kernersville ($48,371 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $48,832
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $50,162
Kernersville
Nominal: $45,275
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $48,371

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,832/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,665)
  • Larger job market (6,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,162)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Kernersville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Charlotte grew 34.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Kernersville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+34.6%

$34,560 (2019) → $46,520 (2025)

Kernersville, NC

+22.4%

$35,242 (2024) → $43,131 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Charlotte or Kernersville?

Charlotte has a higher median medical assistant salary at $48,832/year, compared to Kernersville at $45,275/year — a difference of $3,557 (7.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Kernersville?

Charlotte medical assistants earn $23.47/hr while Kernersville hygienists earn $21.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Kernersville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Kernersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $50,162, Kernersville = $48,371), job availability (6,060 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Charlotte vs Kernersville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,440 in Charlotte and $36,734 in Kernersville. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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