Medical Assistant Pay

Macon vs Sandy Springs: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Macon, GA
$40,308
$19.38/hr
Sandy Springs, GA
$49,295
$23.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMacon, GASandy Springs, GA
Median Salary$40,308$49,295
Hourly Rate$19.38$23.70
Entry Level (P10)$35,984$37,837
25th Percentile$38,482$40,546
75th Percentile$46,922$52,826
Top Earner (P90)$49,913$63,423
Total Employed1,00018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Macon ($40,308) and Sandy Springs ($49,295) medical assistant salaries.MaconSandy SpringsMedian Salary$40,308$49,295Entry Level (P10)$35,984$37,837Top Earner (P90)$49,913$63,423US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Macon and Sandy Springs is $8,987 (22.30%). Sandy Springs's median is +2.78% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Macon spans $13,929,Sandy Springs spans $25,586. Sandy Springs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Macon
P10 (Entry)$35,984
P25$38,482
Median$40,308
P75$46,922
P90 (Top)$49,913
Sandy Springs
P10 (Entry)$37,837
P25$40,546
Median$49,295
P75$52,826
P90 (Top)$63,423

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandy Springs ($52,948 effective) pays 16.29% more than Macon ($45,531 effective).

Macon
Nominal: $40,308
CoL Index: 88.528
Adjusted: $45,531
Sandy Springs
Nominal: $49,295
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $52,948

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Macon if…

  • Larger job market (1,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Sandy Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,295/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,423)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,948)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Macon grew 30.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Sandy Springs over the same period.

Macon, GA

+30.6%

$29,400 (2019) → $38,400 (2025)

Sandy Springs, GA

+28.9%

$36,431 (2024) → $46,961 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Macon or Sandy Springs?

Sandy Springs has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,295/year, compared to Macon at $40,308/year — a difference of $8,987 (22.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Macon and Sandy Springs?

Macon medical assistants earn $19.38/hr while Sandy Springs hygienists earn $23.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Macon to Sandy Springs as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Macon and Sandy Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Macon = $45,531, Sandy Springs = $52,948), job availability (1,000 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $35,984 in Macon and $37,837 in Sandy Springs. The Sandy Springs 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