Medical Assistant Pay

Morgantown vs Wheeling: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Morgantown, WV
$39,301
$18.89/hr
Wheeling, WV
$38,765
$18.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorgantown, WVWheeling, WV
Median Salary$39,301$38,765
Hourly Rate$18.89$18.64
Entry Level (P10)$32,772$32,635
25th Percentile$38,020$37,327
75th Percentile$39,857$44,581
Top Earner (P90)$47,048$48,066
Total Employed580310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morgantown ($39,301) and Wheeling ($38,765) medical assistant salaries.MorgantownWheelingMedian Salary$39,301$38,765Entry Level (P10)$32,772$32,635Top Earner (P90)$47,048$48,066US Median $47,961

Verdict

Morgantown, WV offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wheeling.

The salary gap between Morgantown and Wheeling is $536 (1.38%). 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 Morgantown spans $14,276,Wheeling spans $15,431. Wheeling has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$32,772
P25$38,020
Median$39,301
P75$39,857
P90 (Top)$47,048
Wheeling
P10 (Entry)$32,635
P25$37,327
Median$38,765
P75$44,581
P90 (Top)$48,066

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheeling ($43,890 effective) pays 4.22% more than Morgantown ($42,113 effective).

Morgantown
Nominal: $39,301
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $42,113
Wheeling
Nominal: $38,765
CoL Index: 88.323
Adjusted: $43,890

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,301/year)
  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Wheeling if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($48,066)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,890)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Morgantown grew 39.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.1% growth in Wheeling over the same period.

Morgantown, WV

+39.0%

$26,940 (2019) → $37,440 (2025)

Wheeling, WV

+26.1%

$29,280 (2019) → $36,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Morgantown or Wheeling?

Morgantown has a higher median medical assistant salary at $39,301/year, compared to Wheeling at $38,765/year — a difference of $536 (1.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morgantown and Wheeling?

Morgantown medical assistants earn $18.89/hr while Wheeling hygienists earn $18.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morgantown and Wheeling. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morgantown = $42,113, Wheeling = $43,890), job availability (580 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $32,772 in Morgantown and $32,635 in Wheeling. 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