Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Auburn, AL: $17.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Auburn, AL runs $17.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,212 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,323 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Auburn, Alabama, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected to be $17.89 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $23.06. This rate impacts not only full-time medical assistants but also those who work part-time or per-diem in various settings such as primary care offices, specialty practices, urgent care clinics, and outpatient settings. For example, part-time workers putting in three days a week typically earn a stable income, while per-diem medical assistants can often negotiate for higher rates depending on demand and setting. The hourly pay range for medical assistants in Auburn spans from $14.71 for entry-level employees to $23.22 for highly experienced professionals, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.71 | $117.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.91 | $135.29 |
| Median (P50) | $17.89 | $143.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.53 | $148.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.22 | $185.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $17.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.89/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, AL can expect to earn approximately $37,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,464. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $715.48 | $3,100 | $37,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $429.29 | $1,860 | $22,323 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $286.19 | $1,240 | $14,882 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Auburn) | $17.89 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Auburn, AL earn a median of $37,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.41% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.20% below the Alabama state average of $37,664.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.89/hr = $22,323/year (purchasing power: $25,386).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,205/year (purchasing power: $42,310).
CoL index: 87.933 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Auburn grew 18.6% from $14.37/hr (2019) to $17.04/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.78/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Auburn
Considering a part-time position for a medical assistant working three days a week at 24 hours total can yield an annual income significantly less than that of a full-time worker, which can be an important factor to consider. Per-diem medical assistants in Auburn may experience different financial landscapes depending on their specialty. For instance, those in dermatology or plastics can command rates between $25 and $38 per hour, while positions in urgent care often augment base pay with shift stipends. Additionally, various employer types offer differing hourly wages, with specialty practices typically providing a 20-40% premium over standard rates. The choice between higher wages without benefits or a lower hourly rate with health insurance impacts many in the field. For those in this profession, negotiating the terms of pay—such as aligning workload flexibility with desired hours—can be beneficial in optimizing overall income.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Auburn in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Auburn?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Auburn. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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