Medical Assistant Salary in Opelika, AL: $37,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Opelika, AL earns a median $37,052/year (≈ $17.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $42,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Opelika, Alabama, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $37,052, significantly lower than the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role varies widely, from $31,506 at the 10th percentile to as much as $47,216 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the disparities in pay based on specific healthcare settings and specialties. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these figures are adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which can influence overall compensation for medical assistants. In Opelika's market, medical assistants working in specialty practices such as dermatology or orthopedic surgery tend to command higher salaries compared to those in primary care settings, emphasizing the importance of specialty training and certification in enhancing earning potential.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,506 | $15.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,433 | $15.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,052 | $17.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,867 | $19.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,216 | $22.71 |
Median Salary Position
22.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,710 (2026 est.). At $37,052, the local median is 22.75% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Opelika median: $37,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $37,655 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -22.75% less |
Medical Assistants in Opelika, AL earn a median of $37,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.75% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $37,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $37,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,152 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,885
2025 BLS Actual
$35,298
2026 Current Est.
$37,052
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,731 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,566 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,447 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,865 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,894 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $26,885 (2019) to $35,298 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,894 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,009 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $31,506 – $32,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,433 – $37,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,052 – $39,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,867 – $47,216 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Opelika
An analysis of the job market reveals that there are currently seven medical assistants employed in Opelika, Alabama, with a cost-of-living index of 87.9, indicating that the purchasing power in the area is set against a backdrop of slightly lower living costs compared to the national average. Employers in the area, including hospital outpatient clinics and specialty practices, generally offer the most competitive pay, especially for those with advanced credentials or bilingual skills, which can earn a premium. The wage disparity across different medical settings often stems from the complexities of the job, with specialty practices typically offering 20-40% higher compensation than their primary care counterparts. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Opelika, pursuing additional certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialty areas are effective strategies to position themselves at the higher end of the pay spectrum.
More salary data for Opelika, 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 $35,298 for medical assistantsin the Opelika 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
Salary data for Opelika 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