Medical Assistant Pay

Hattiesburg vs Horn Lake: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Hattiesburg, MS and Horn Lake, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hattiesburg, MS
$37,737
$18.14/hr
Horn Lake, MS
$40,266
$19.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSHorn Lake, MS
Median Salary$37,737$40,266
Hourly Rate$18.14$19.36
Entry Level (P10)$31,050$31,864
25th Percentile$32,887$33,499
75th Percentile$40,770$41,623
Top Earner (P90)$47,257$52,423
Total Employed2906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($37,737) and Horn Lake ($40,266) medical assistant salaries.HattiesburgHorn LakeMedian Salary$37,737$40,266Entry Level (P10)$31,050$31,864Top Earner (P90)$47,257$52,423US Median $47,961

Verdict

Horn Lake, MS offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hattiesburg.

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Horn Lake is $2,529 (6.70%). Horn Lake's median is -16.04% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $16,207,Horn Lake spans $20,559. Horn Lake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$31,050
P25$32,887
Median$37,737
P75$40,770
P90 (Top)$47,257
Horn Lake
P10 (Entry)$31,864
P25$33,499
Median$40,266
P75$41,623
P90 (Top)$52,423

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Horn Lake ($46,985 effective) pays 9.11% more than Hattiesburg ($43,063 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $37,737
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $43,063
Horn Lake
Nominal: $40,266
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $46,985

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Horn Lake if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,266/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,423)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,985)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Hattiesburg grew 19.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.8% growth in Horn Lake over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+19.2%

$30,160 (2019) → $35,950 (2025)

Horn Lake, MS

+42.8%

$26,866 (2024) → $38,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Hattiesburg or Horn Lake?

Horn Lake has a higher median medical assistant salary at $40,266/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $37,737/year — a difference of $2,529 (6.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Horn Lake?

Hattiesburg medical assistants earn $18.14/hr while Horn Lake hygienists earn $19.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Horn Lake as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Horn Lake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $43,063, Horn Lake = $46,985), job availability (290 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Hattiesburg vs Horn Lake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $31,050 in Hattiesburg and $31,864 in Horn Lake. The Horn Lake 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