Medical Assistant Pay

Fairmont vs Huntington: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Fairmont, WV
$36,572
$17.58/hr
Huntington, WV
$39,364
$18.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFairmont, WVHuntington, WV
Median Salary$36,572$39,364
Hourly Rate$17.58$18.93
Entry Level (P10)$31,770$33,108
25th Percentile$32,406$37,023
75th Percentile$38,464$42,450
Top Earner (P90)$44,854$47,153
Total Employed41,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fairmont ($36,572) and Huntington ($39,364) medical assistant salaries.FairmontHuntingtonMedian Salary$36,572$39,364Entry Level (P10)$31,770$33,108Top Earner (P90)$44,854$47,153US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fairmont and Huntington is $2,792 (7.63%). Huntington's median is -17.92% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fairmont spans $13,084,Huntington spans $14,045. Huntington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Fairmont
P10 (Entry)$31,770
P25$32,406
Median$36,572
P75$38,464
P90 (Top)$44,854
Huntington
P10 (Entry)$33,108
P25$37,023
Median$39,364
P75$42,450
P90 (Top)$47,153

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($44,518 effective) pays 5.29% more than Fairmont ($42,280 effective).

Fairmont
Nominal: $36,572
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $42,280
Huntington
Nominal: $39,364
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $44,518

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fairmont if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,364/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,153)
  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,518)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Fairmont grew 31.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Huntington over the same period.

Fairmont, WV

+31.2%

$26,563 (2024) → $34,840 (2025)

Huntington, WV

+30.9%

$28,650 (2019) → $37,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Fairmont or Huntington?

Huntington has a higher median medical assistant salary at $39,364/year, compared to Fairmont at $36,572/year — a difference of $2,792 (7.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fairmont and Huntington?

Fairmont medical assistants earn $17.58/hr while Huntington hygienists earn $18.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fairmont to Huntington as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fairmont and Huntington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fairmont = $42,280, Huntington = $44,518), job availability (4 vs 1,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Fairmont vs Huntington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $31,770 in Fairmont and $33,108 in Huntington. The Huntington 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