Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $18.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Birmingham, AL runs $18.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,597 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,161 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, AL, medical assistants earn a median hourly rate of $18.56, which is significantly lower than the national median of $23.06. This disparity highlights the variations in pay within the healthcare sector. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, or as per diem workers, the compensation can be critical in determining job satisfaction and financial stability. In Birmingham’s healthcare settings—ranging from primary care exam rooms to urgent care intake stations—the hourly pay scales from $15.70 for entry-level positions to $24.20 for experienced individuals. This data reflects projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating both the opportunities and limitations within this profession in the local market.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.70 | $125.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.78 | $142.26 |
| Median (P50) | $18.56 | $148.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.95 | $159.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.20 | $193.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $18.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.56/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $38,602 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,270. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $742.35 | $3,217 | $38,602 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $445.41 | $1,930 | $23,161 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $296.94 | $1,287 | $15,441 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Birmingham) | $18.56 |
| 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 Birmingham, AL earn a median of $38,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.52% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.50% above the Alabama state average of $37,656.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.56/hr = $23,161/year (purchasing power: $25,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,602/year (purchasing power: $42,122).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Birmingham grew 21.8% from $14.51/hr (2019) to $17.68/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.48/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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham
Analyzing the part-time earning potential, a medical assistant working 24 hours a week, at the median hourly rate, would take home approximately $23,000 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time counterparts. Per diem medical assistants in Birmingham often command higher pay, ranging from $20 to $30 per hour, especially in specialty practices like dermatology or plastics, where rates can reach $25-$38 per hour due to the demand for advanced skills. Urgent care facilities frequently offer stipends for longer shifts, adding extra value to the overall compensation package. Hourly rates can vary across employer types; those in corporate occupational health clinics may choose lower hourly wages for benefits, while others may seek higher compensation without a benefits package. Negotiating pay in this competitive field requires understanding the market and being equipped with data—knowledge of industry standards and rates can empower medical assistants to secure fair compensation in Birmingham’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
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
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 Birmingham. 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