Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $19.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Portsmouth, VA runs $19.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,842 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $19.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,511 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $19.64, medical assistants in Portsmouth, Virginia, earn less than their counterparts nationwide, where the median hourly rate is $23.06. This disparity can impact part-time workers, especially those seeking shifts in settings such as primary care exam rooms, specialty practices, or urgent care intake stations. For individuals working part-time, say three days a week, the hourly wage translates to a manageable income, but still suggests the need for additional sources of income. In Portsmouth, entry-level medical assistants can expect wages starting at around $15.62, while those with experience and specialized skills can earn up to $25.07, according to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.62 | $124.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.49 | $131.93 |
| Median (P50) | $19.64 | $157.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.01 | $168.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.07 | $200.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $19.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.64/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $40,851 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,568. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $785.60 | $3,404 | $40,851 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.36 | $2,043 | $24,511 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.24 | $1,362 | $16,340 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Portsmouth) | $19.64 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $40,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.84% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $42,192.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.64/hr = $24,511/year (purchasing power: $23,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,851/year (purchasing power: $39,584).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$14.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Portsmouth grew 31.3% from $14.25/hr (2019) to $18.71/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.62/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Part-time medical assistants working in Portsmouth can earn a decent income, but their annual take-home pay will reflect a significant difference compared to full-timers. A 24-hour workweek could yield approximately $24,000 annually, a modest sum when juxtaposed with the potential for more flexible per diem roles. For instance, per diem medical assistants might command between $20 and $30 per hour, while those in specialty practices such as dermatology or plastics can see rates climbing as high as $25 to $38 an hour. Urgent care facilities, particularly for 12-hour shifts, often offer stipends that add an extra $50 to $150 per shift, further increasing overall compensation. However, the type of employer significantly affects hourly rates; for example, a corporate occupational health clinic may provide benefits that an urgent care center might not, prompting some assistants to accept lower pay for increased job security. For those in Portsmouth, understanding the benefits versus hourly wage trade-off is crucial, and skills negotiation can lead to improvements in pay, given the competitive market.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
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 Portsmouth. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Portsmouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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