Medical Assistant Pay

North Lauderdale vs Orlando: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between North Lauderdale, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Lauderdale, FL
$42,102
$20.24/hr
Orlando, FL
$45,977
$22.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Lauderdale, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$42,102$45,977
Hourly Rate$20.24$22.11
Entry Level (P10)$32,677$38,472
25th Percentile$37,079$39,563
75th Percentile$43,971$49,115
Top Earner (P90)$51,415$51,015
Total Employed77,920
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Lauderdale ($42,102) and Orlando ($45,977) medical assistant salaries.North LauderdaleOrlandoMedian Salary$42,102$45,977Entry Level (P10)$32,677$38,472Top Earner (P90)$51,415$51,015US Median $47,961

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Lauderdale.

The salary gap between North Lauderdale and Orlando is $3,875 (9.20%). Orlando's median is -4.14% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Lauderdale spans $18,738,Orlando spans $12,543. North Lauderdale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Lauderdale
P10 (Entry)$32,677
P25$37,079
Median$42,102
P75$43,971
P90 (Top)$51,415
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$38,472
P25$39,563
Median$45,977
P75$49,115
P90 (Top)$51,015

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($45,334 effective) pays 8.54% more than North Lauderdale ($41,768 effective).

North Lauderdale
Nominal: $42,102
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $41,768
Orlando
Nominal: $45,977
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $45,334

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Lauderdale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($51,415)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,977/year)
  • Larger job market (7,920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,334)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in North Lauderdale grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.6% growth in Orlando over the same period.

North Lauderdale, FL

+7.9%

$37,159 (2024) → $40,109 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+32.6%

$33,040 (2019) → $43,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: North Lauderdale or Orlando?

Orlando has a higher median medical assistant salary at $45,977/year, compared to North Lauderdale at $42,102/year — a difference of $3,875 (9.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Lauderdale and Orlando?

North Lauderdale medical assistants earn $20.24/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $22.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Lauderdale to Orlando as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Lauderdale and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Lauderdale = $41,768, Orlando = $45,334), job availability (7 vs 7,920 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in North Lauderdale vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $32,677 in North Lauderdale and $38,472 in Orlando. The Orlando 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