Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $19.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $19.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,537 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, medical assistants can expect a median hourly pay of $19.66, which falls below the national hourly median of $23.06. This hourly wage is significant for part-time and per-diem workers within various healthcare settings, such as primary care clinics, urgent care facilities, and specialty practices. For those working three days a week, this translates to about $29,800 annually, providing a flexible yet financially viable option for many in the profession. The hourly pay range for medical assistants in Myrtle Beach spans from $17.30 for entry-level positions to $24.04 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization within the field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, allowing for informed career decisions in this growing sector.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.30 | $138.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.56 | $148.47 |
| Median (P50) | $19.66 | $157.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.56 | $180.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.04 | $192.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $19.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.66/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $40,895 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,593. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $786.44 | $3,408 | $40,895 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.86 | $2,045 | $24,537 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.57 | $1,363 | $16,358 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Myrtle Beach) | $19.66 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $40,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.75% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.70% below the South Carolina state average of $42,902.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.66/hr = $24,537/year (purchasing power: $26,203).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,895/year (purchasing power: $43,671).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Myrtle Beach grew 26.9% from $14.76/hr (2019) to $18.73/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.64/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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
For part-time medical assistants working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can translate to around $29,800, while full-time counterparts earn more substantial wages. Per-diem medical assistant pay in Myrtle Beach typically ranges from $20 to $30 an hour, with higher rates in specialty practices like dermatology and plastics that can reach between $25 and $38 per hour. Urgent care facilities may even offer stipends of $50 to $150 for 12-hour shifts, enhancing the potential for more lucrative earnings. Employers vary significantly in Myrtle Beach, impacting hourly rates: primary care offices, urgent care chains, and specialty practices each have distinct compensation structures. While some medical assistants may choose jobs with lower hourly pay for health benefits, others may prioritize immediate cash flow at higher hourly rates without additional perks. When considering pay, understanding the unique dynamics of the Myrtle Beach job market and effective negotiation strategies is vital for maximizing earning potential in this burgeoning healthcare profession.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Myrtle Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Myrtle Beach?
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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 Myrtle Beach. 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