Medical Assistant Salary in Alabama: $38,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $38,055/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,294 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Huntsville ($36,920), Birmingham ($36,770), Decatur ($36,690).
In Alabama, the average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is projected to be $38,055, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,961, marking a difference of 20.7%. Huntsville offers the highest salary in the state at $38,755, while Pelham has the lowest at $34,821, creating a salary gap of $3,934. This difference can be attributed to variations in the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in different areas. Factors unique to Alabama significantly influence the job market for medical assistants. The state has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can vary, impacting job roles. Moreover, the demand for medical assistants is driven by an aging population and a growing healthcare sector, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.97%. With a total of 11,208 medical assistants employed across 24 metro areas, the job outlook in Alabama remains positive, particularly in cities like Birmingham, with a projected salary of $38,597, and Decatur, at $38,513. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for prospective medical assistants considering their career path in Alabama.
Alabama Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $28,804 (lowest entry-level) to $50,323 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama medical assistants earn 20.65% less than the national median ($-9,906/year difference).
Alabama Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Alabama range from $31,770 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $47,498 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $38,055. The Alabama median is $9,906 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $18.30/hr. Approximately 11,208 medical assistants are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,995
2025 BLS Actual
$36,253
2026 Current Est.
$38,055
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,995 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,774 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,187 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,902 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,946 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 25.0% from $28,995 (2019) to $36,253 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,946 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,951 (37.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pelham | $34,821 |
| Gadsden | $35,952 |
| Albertville | $36,066 |
| Vestavia Hills | $36,147 |
| Homewood | $36,378 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | $38,513 | 87.212 | $44,160 |
| Dothan | $36,740 | 83.833 | $43,825 |
| Florence | $37,107 | 84.817 | $43,749 |
| Mobile | $38,157 | 88.098 | $43,312 |
| Hoover | $38,017 | 87.9 | $43,250 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,770 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $38,055 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $47,498 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $38,755 |
| 2 | Birmingham | $38,597 |
| 3 | Decatur | $38,513 |
| 4 | Daphne | $38,304 |
| 5 | Mobile | $38,157 |
| 6 | Hoover | $38,017 |
| 7 | Tuscaloosa | $37,716 |
| 8 | Montgomery | $37,590 |
| 9 | Auburn | $37,212 |
| 10 | Florence | $37,107 |
| 11 | Opelika | $37,052 |
| 12 | Phenix City | $37,050 |
| 13 | Prattville | $36,849 |
| 14 | Northport | $36,767 |
| 15 | Dothan | $36,740 |
| 16 | Madison | $36,711 |
| 17 | Anniston | $36,635 |
| 18 | Alabaster | $36,483 |
| 19 | Enterprise | $36,426 |
| 20 | Homewood | $36,378 |
| 21 | Vestavia Hills | $36,147 |
| 22 | Albertville | $36,066 |
| 23 | Gadsden | $35,952 |
| 24 | Pelham | $34,821 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Alabama?
How does Alabama medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Alabama?
How many medical assistants are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for medical assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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