Medical Assistant Salary in Gadsden, AL: $35,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Gadsden, AL earns a median $35,952/year (≈ $17.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $41,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Gadsden, Alabama, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $35,952, considerably lower than the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role in Gadsden spans from $30,662 at the 10th percentile to $38,482 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on experience and specialization. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the financial landscape for MAs in Gadsden, where bilingual skills in Spanish and other languages can enhance earning potential in a diverse market. The job market remains robust, making it a viable career path for those entering healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,662 | $14.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,887 | $15.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,952 | $17.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,684 | $18.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38,482 | $18.51 |
Median Salary Position
25.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $7,820 (2026 est.). At $35,952, the local median is 25.04% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be above the median
How Gadsden Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $35,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $37,646 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -25.04% less |
Medical Assistants in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $35,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.04% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.50% below the Alabama state average of $37,646.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $35,952 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,974 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,900
2025 BLS Actual
$34,250
2026 Current Est.
$35,952
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 27.3% from $26,900 (2019) to $34,250 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,839 (40.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,662 – $32,887 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,887 – $35,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,952 – $37,684 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,684 – $38,482 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Gadsden
With approximately 450 medical assistants currently employed in Gadsden, the local job market reflects consistent demand. The cost of living index, sitting at 85.653, suggests that take-home pay retains more purchasing power compared to national averages. Those seeking higher medical assistant pay in Gadsden can target employers such as specialty practices in cardiology and orthopedics, which typically offer better compensation than primary care settings. Additionally, pursuing certifications that encompass specialized skills—such as phlebotomy or EKG—can elevate a candidate’s profile. Practical strategies for maximizing income include seeking positions in urgent care clinics or taking on lead responsibilities, both of which can provide pay incentives and benefits in this competitive market.
More salary data for Gadsden, AL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $34,250 for medical assistantsin the Gadsden metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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