Medical Assistant Salary in Gulfport, MS: $37,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Gulfport, MS earns a median $37,359/year (≈ $17.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $41,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Gulfport, Mississippi, can expect to see a median annual salary of $37,359, which reflects a substantial gap compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for those in this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $30,735 and experienced professionals able to command salaries up to $42,397. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights that specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics offer premiums that greatly enhance earnings compared to primary care settings. Therefore, medical assistants targeting higher compensation should consider pursuing opportunities in these specialty areas where pay gradients are more favorable.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,735 | $14.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,593 | $15.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,359 | $17.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,581 | $19.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,397 | $20.39 |
Median Salary Position
22.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,662 (2026 est.). At $37,359, the local median is 22.11% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be above the median
How Gulfport Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $37,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $41,099 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -22.11% less |
Medical Assistants in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $37,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.11% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 9.10% below the Mississippi state average of $41,099.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $37,359 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,507 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$28,140
2025 BLS Actual
$35,590
2026 Current Est.
$37,359
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.5% from $28,140 (2019) to $35,590 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,076 (39.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $30,735 – $32,593 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,593 – $37,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,359 – $40,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,581 – $42,397 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Gulfport
Gulfport's job market currently supports roughly 480 medical assistants, revealing a steady demand for this role despite the relatively modest compensation compared to national figures. The area's cost of living index is considerably below the national average at 90.006, indicating that take-home pay may stretch further within the local economy. Employers such as urgent care chains and specialty practices tend to pay the most, especially for bilingual candidates or those with multiple certifications like phlebotomy and EKG. The spread in compensation is driven by market demands, experience levels, and specific skills that distinguish candidates. To maximize earning potential in Gulfport, aspiring medical assistants should consider gaining certifications through recognized bodies like AAMA or NHA, as well as seeking employment with entities that typically offer higher pay scales for specialized skills and positions.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Gulfport, MS in 2026?
Is Gulfport, MS a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Gulfport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Gulfport?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Gulfport?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $35,590 for medical assistantsin the Gulfport 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