Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $22.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Greenville, SC runs $22.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,090 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,257 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, South Carolina, medical assistants earn a median hourly rate of $22.64, which slightly trails the national average of $23.06. This figure can be particularly significant for part-time and per-diem workers who often find themselves in various settings, including primary care exam rooms, urgent care intake stations, and specialized practice environments. For those operating on a part-time basis, typically around three days a week, the pay reflects the starting point for entry-level positions at $17.57 per hour, extending to top earners who can reach $24.79 an hour in more competitive environments. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), showcases the earning potential accessible through flexible work arrangements within the medical assistant field in Greenville.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.57 | $140.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.88 | $151.07 |
| Median (P50) | $22.64 | $181.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.89 | $191.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.79 | $198.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $22.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.64/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $47,095 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,170. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $905.68 | $3,925 | $47,095 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.41 | $2,355 | $28,257 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.27 | $1,570 | $18,838 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Greenville) | $22.64 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $47,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.82% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 9.80% above the South Carolina state average of $42,887.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.64/hr = $28,257/year (purchasing power: $30,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,095/year (purchasing power: $50,499).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Greenville grew 42.1% from $15.18/hr (2019) to $21.57/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.77/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
When analyzing the potential for earnings as a part-time medical assistant, working approximately 24 hours a week at the hourly median translates to an annual income of roughly $28,000, which can considerably differ from a full-time medical assistant's salary. For per-diem positions, billing can range from $20 to $30 per hour, though specialty practices like dermatology or plastic surgery offer higher rates, reaching $25 to $38 per hour. Additionally, urgent care roles that require 12-hour shifts often come with stipends ranging from $50 to $150 per shift, adding substantial income potential. Medical assistants employed in various sectors—such as primary care, urgent care chains, and corporate health clinics—can see fluctuation in pay based on employer type. While some may choose lower hourly pay for jobs that come with health insurance benefits, others may opt for higher pay without benefits for greater take-home compensation. To navigate these choices in Greenville, effective negotiation techniques, such as presenting your certification from AAMA, NHA, or other credentialing bodies, can enhance your standing in discussions with prospective employers.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
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 Greenville. 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