Medical Assistant Pay

Raleigh vs Thomasville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Raleigh, NC and Thomasville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$48,454
$23.29/hr
Thomasville, NC
$44,827
$21.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCThomasville, NC
Median Salary$48,454$44,827
Hourly Rate$23.29$21.55
Entry Level (P10)$39,595$35,579
25th Percentile$41,411$37,372
75th Percentile$49,777$46,414
Top Earner (P90)$59,224$58,486
Total Employed3,8104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($48,454) and Thomasville ($44,827) medical assistant salaries.RaleighThomasvilleMedian Salary$48,454$44,827Entry Level (P10)$39,595$35,579Top Earner (P90)$59,224$58,486US Median $47,961

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Thomasville.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Thomasville is $3,627 (8.09%). Raleigh's median is +1.03% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $19,629,Thomasville spans $22,907. Thomasville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$39,595
P25$41,411
Median$48,454
P75$49,777
P90 (Top)$59,224
Thomasville
P10 (Entry)$35,579
P25$37,372
Median$44,827
P75$46,414
P90 (Top)$58,486

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($49,364 effective) pays 3.07% more than Thomasville ($47,892 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $48,454
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $49,364
Thomasville
Nominal: $44,827
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $47,892

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,454/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,224)
  • Larger job market (3,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,364)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Thomasville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Raleigh grew 32.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Thomasville over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+32.5%

$34,840 (2019) → $46,160 (2025)

Thomasville, NC

+22.4%

$34,894 (2024) → $42,705 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Raleigh or Thomasville?

Raleigh has a higher median medical assistant salary at $48,454/year, compared to Thomasville at $44,827/year — a difference of $3,627 (8.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Thomasville?

Raleigh medical assistants earn $23.29/hr while Thomasville hygienists earn $21.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Thomasville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Thomasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $49,364, Thomasville = $47,892), job availability (3,810 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Raleigh vs Thomasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,595 in Raleigh and $35,579 in Thomasville. The Raleigh 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