Medical Assistant Pay

Fairmont vs Morgantown: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Fairmont, WV
$36,572
$17.58/hr
Morgantown, WV
$39,301
$18.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFairmont, WVMorgantown, WV
Median Salary$36,572$39,301
Hourly Rate$17.58$18.89
Entry Level (P10)$31,770$32,772
25th Percentile$32,406$38,020
75th Percentile$38,464$39,857
Top Earner (P90)$44,854$47,048
Total Employed4580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fairmont ($36,572) and Morgantown ($39,301) medical assistant salaries.FairmontMorgantownMedian Salary$36,572$39,301Entry Level (P10)$31,770$32,772Top Earner (P90)$44,854$47,048US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fairmont and Morgantown is $2,729 (7.46%). 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 Fairmont spans $13,084,Morgantown spans $14,276. Morgantown 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
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, Fairmont ($42,280 effective) pays 0.40% more than Morgantown ($42,113 effective).

Fairmont
Nominal: $36,572
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $42,280
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 Fairmont if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,280)
  • 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 Fairmont grew 31.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.0% growth in Morgantown over the same period.

Fairmont, WV

+31.2%

$26,563 (2024) → $34,840 (2025)

Morgantown, WV

+39.0%

$26,940 (2019) → $37,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Fairmont or Morgantown?

Morgantown has a higher median medical assistant salary at $39,301/year, compared to Fairmont at $36,572/year — a difference of $2,729 (7.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fairmont and Morgantown?

Fairmont medical assistants earn $17.58/hr while Morgantown hygienists earn $18.89/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fairmont and Morgantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fairmont = $42,280, Morgantown = $42,113), job availability (4 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $31,770 in Fairmont 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