Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $23.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Atlanta, GA runs $23.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,349 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,017 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, Georgia, the medical assistant hourly pay reaches a median of $23.25, which is slightly above the national average of $23.06 per hour. This competitive rate is advantageous for both full-time and part-time workers; a medical assistant working part-time, for instance, just three days a week, can still enjoy a stable income while maintaining flexibility in their schedule. Entry-level professionals in this field can expect starting hourly rates around $18.34, while experienced practitioners may earn up to $29.42, showcasing a significant payoff as one advances in skills and responsibilities. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, based on 2025 OEWS data projected to 2026, paints a promising picture for job seekers in Atlanta's healthcare environment.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.34 | $146.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.46 | $155.69 |
| Median (P50) | $23.25 | $186.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.03 | $192.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.42 | $235.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $23.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.25/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $48,362 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,901. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $930.03 | $4,030 | $48,362 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.02 | $2,418 | $29,017 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.01 | $1,612 | $19,345 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Atlanta) | $23.25 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $48,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.81% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 21.10% above the Georgia state average of $39,925.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.25/hr = $29,017/year (purchasing power: $29,000).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,362/year (purchasing power: $48,334).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Atlanta grew 31.6% from $16.83/hr (2019) to $22.15/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.41/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
Looking closer at the earning potential within the medical assistant profession, part-time employees earning $23.25 an hour over a 24-hour work week would take home around $28,740 annually, in contrast to full-time workers who enjoy significantly higher yearly earnings. Per diem medical assistant pay in Atlanta can fluctuate quite a bit—while standard rates hover around $20-$30 per hour, those working in specialty practices such as dermatology or plastics may see rates jumping to between $25 and $38 per hour. In urgent care facilities, 12-hour shifts can offer additional stipends, making the hourly experience even more lucrative. Moreover, variations exist across different employer types in Atlanta; primary care clinics usually offer lower rates than specialty practices, which often pay premium rates for skilled assistants. While some may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize cash compensation. Thus, negotiation remains a key aspect for medical assistants in the Atlanta area, and understanding this dynamic can help professionals maximize their potential earnings.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 Atlanta. 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