Medical Assistant Salary in Mississippi: $37,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $37,773/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,076 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($38,785), Tupelo ($38,776), Madison ($38,621).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in Mississippi is projected to be $37,773, significantly below the national median of $47,961, reflecting a difference of -21.2%. Within the state, pay varies, with Pearl offering the highest average salary at $40,713, while Gulfport has the lowest at $37,359, creating a salary gap of $1,354. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, regional cost of living, and the concentration of medical facilities. Mississippi's scope of practice laws for medical assistants advocate for a supportive role in healthcare, but they do not require state licensing, which affects salary levels. Demand for medical assistants is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.97%, driven by an increasing population and broader access to healthcare services. With approximately 1,720 medical assistants employed in the state, key cities such as Tupelo at $40,703, Madison at $40,540, and Southaven at $40,432 also reflect favorable salaries, indicating a regional trend aligned with healthcare growth. Overall, while salaries in Mississippi are lower than the national average, steady job growth presents opportunities for new and existing professionals in the medical assisting field.
Mississippi Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $30,066 (lowest entry-level) to $52,423 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi medical assistants earn 21.24% less than the national median ($-10,188/year difference).
Mississippi Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Mississippi range from $31,465 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $46,537 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $37,773. The Mississippi median is $10,188 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $18.16/hr. Approximately 1,720 medical assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,385
2025 BLS Actual
$35,985
2026 Current Est.
$37,773
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,774 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 22.5% from $29,385 (2019) to $35,985 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,265 (34.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Gulfport | $37,359 |
| Hattiesburg | $37,737 |
| Clinton | $37,790 |
| Biloxi | $37,800 |
| Jackson | $37,810 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $40,713 | 85.7 | $47,506 |
| Tupelo | $40,703 | 85.7 | $47,495 |
| Madison | $40,540 | 85.7 | $47,305 |
| Southaven | $40,432 | 85.7 | $47,179 |
| Horn Lake | $40,266 | 85.7 | $46,985 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,465 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $37,773 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $46,537 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $40,713 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $40,703 |
| 3 | Madison | $40,540 |
| 4 | Southaven | $40,432 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $40,266 |
| 6 | Starkville | $39,969 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $39,462 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $39,462 |
| 9 | Oxford | $39,214 |
| 10 | Brandon | $39,172 |
| 11 | Meridian | $38,965 |
| 12 | Olive Branch | $38,888 |
| 13 | Hernando | $38,693 |
| 14 | Columbus | $38,650 |
| 15 | Laurel | $38,013 |
| 16 | Jackson | $37,810 |
| 17 | Biloxi | $37,800 |
| 18 | Clinton | $37,790 |
| 19 | Hattiesburg | $37,737 |
| 20 | Gulfport | $37,359 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Mississippi?
How many medical assistants are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi 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 Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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