Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $31,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Hattiesburg, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $31,050 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hattiesburg's local price level (BEA RPP 87.6 — 12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,432 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($37,737) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, those entering the medical assistant field can expect a starting pay around $31,050 in 2026, which is reflective of the lower end of the salary spectrum for this role. This entry-level figure demonstrates a gradual increase in potential earnings as new graduates build experience; a starting medical assistant salary in Hattiesburg, when compared to the median annual salary of $37,737, shows a significant gap of over $6,000. As early-career medical assistants progress, their wages can rise to approximately $32,887 after gaining a couple of years of experience, with the eventual goal of reaching the median salary as they advance further into their careers. Given the 4.97% growth rate expected for this occupation over the next several years, Hattiesburg appears to be a favorable job market for new graduates seeking opportunities in healthcare.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hattiesburg
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
Entry-level medical assistants in Hattiesburg, MS typically start between $31,050 and $32,887 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,207 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $37,737 — 21.32% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Mississippi of $4,500 represents just 14.49% of the starting medical assistant pay ($31,050/year) in Hattiesburg. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Hattiesburg
- 1Research the Hattiesburg market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $31,050 to $32,887, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hattiesburg, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Hattiesburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hattiesburg's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Hattiesburg is $16,207 ( 52.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $31,050, experienced hygienists can earn up to $47,257.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,970
2025 BLS Actual
$29,580
2026 Current Est.
$31,050
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $24,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,593 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Hattiesburg, MS grew 18.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,970 in 2019 to $29,580 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $32,593. New graduates entering the Hattiesburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Hattiesburg
Employers in Hattiesburg that frequently hire new medical assistant graduates include primary care offices and urgent care centers, which often provide structured onboarding programs that facilitate successful entry into the healthcare workforce. While specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, generally prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer attractive benefits like National Health Service Corps loan repayment programs and roles that value bilingual skills. Pursuing credentials from national certifying bodies such as AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT can enhance earning potential for medical assistants; holding a diploma or associate's degree from an accredited program, supplemented with additional certifications in phlebotomy or EKG, can lead to competitive starting salaries. As the job market evolves, aspiring medical assistants should be prepared for realistic salary growth in their first few years, with opportunities to work in high-demand areas like primary care, achieving significant financial increases tied to certifications and specializations, especially within the beneficial employment sectors in MS.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Hattiesburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov