Medical Assistant Pay

Gainesville vs Macon: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Gainesville, GA and Macon, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gainesville, GA
$43,993
$21.15/hr
Macon, GA
$40,308
$19.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGainesville, GAMacon, GA
Median Salary$43,993$40,308
Hourly Rate$21.15$19.38
Entry Level (P10)$38,503$35,984
25th Percentile$40,120$38,482
75th Percentile$48,559$46,922
Top Earner (P90)$50,071$49,913
Total Employed9701,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gainesville ($43,993) and Macon ($40,308) medical assistant salaries.GainesvilleMaconMedian Salary$43,993$40,308Entry Level (P10)$38,503$35,984Top Earner (P90)$50,071$49,913US Median $47,961

Verdict

Gainesville, GA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Macon.

The salary gap between Gainesville and Macon is $3,685 (9.14%). Gainesville's median is -8.27% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gainesville spans $11,568,Macon spans $13,929. Macon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$38,503
P25$40,120
Median$43,993
P75$48,559
P90 (Top)$50,071
Macon
P10 (Entry)$35,984
P25$38,482
Median$40,308
P75$46,922
P90 (Top)$49,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macon ($45,531 effective) pays 0.15% more than Gainesville ($45,463 effective).

Gainesville
Nominal: $43,993
CoL Index: 96.766
Adjusted: $45,463
Macon
Nominal: $40,308
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $45,531

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gainesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,993/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,071)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Macon if…

  • Larger job market (1,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,531)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Gainesville grew 27.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Macon over the same period.

Gainesville, GA

+27.4%

$32,900 (2019) → $41,910 (2025)

Macon, GA

+30.6%

$29,400 (2019) → $38,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Gainesville or Macon?

Gainesville has a higher median medical assistant salary at $43,993/year, compared to Macon at $40,308/year — a difference of $3,685 (9.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gainesville and Macon?

Gainesville medical assistants earn $21.15/hr while Macon hygienists earn $19.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gainesville to Macon as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gainesville and Macon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gainesville = $45,463, Macon = $45,531), job availability (970 vs 1,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Gainesville vs Macon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,503 in Gainesville and $35,984 in Macon. The Gainesville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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