Medical Assistant Pay

Medical Assistant Salary in Ridgeland, MS: $39,462 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Ridgeland, MS earns a median $39,462/year (≈ $18.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Ridgeland's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $46,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Mississippi state average.

$39,462
Median Annual Salary
$18.97/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$32,992
Entry Level (P10)
$46,921
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Assistant Salary in Ridgeland, MS — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Ridgeland, MS medical assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For those considering a career as a medical assistant in Ridgeland, MS, the 2026 projected median salary stands at $39,462, revealing a stark contrast to the national average of $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants in this area spans from $32,992 at the 10th percentile to $46,921 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrate the local market's positioning within the broader national context. Furthermore, as medical assistants continue to bridge into LPN or RN pathways, their long-term earning potential and career advancement opportunities remain robust, particularly within specialized fields and settings in Ridgeland.

About the Ridgeland Market

Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$32,992$15.86
Lower Range (P25)$35,453$17.05
Median (P50)(typical)$39,462$18.97
Upper Range (P75)$40,678$19.56
Top Earners (P90)$46,921$22.56

Median Salary Position

$32,992$47,961
City Median: $39,462
National: $47,961
P10–P90 Range

17.72% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ridgeland

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical assistants in Ridgeland. The median salary is $39,462, compared to the national median of $47,961.$29.7K$34.9K$40.0K$45.2K$50.4K$33.0K10th Pctl$35.5K25th Pctl$39.5KMedian$40.7K75th Pctl$46.9K90th PctlUS Median$48.0K

In Ridgeland, MS, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,929 (2026 est.). At $39,462, the local median is 17.72% below the national median of $47,961.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical assistant pay in the Ridgeland metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$759
per week
$3,288
per month
$39,454
per year

At 40 hours/week in Ridgeland: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Ridgeland Medical Assistant Pay Compares

Ridgeland median: $39,462/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryRidgeland Pays
Mississippi Average$41,107-4.00% less
National Average$47,961-17.72% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical assistant median salary in Ridgeland ($39,462) with Mississippi average ($41,107) and the US national median ($47,961).Ridgeland$39,462Mississippi Avg$41,107-4.00%US National$47,961-17.72%

Medical Assistants in Ridgeland, MS earn a median of $39,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.00% below the Mississippi state average of $41,107.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$39,462
Nominal Salary
85.7
CoL Index
$46,047
Adjusted Salary

Ridgeland has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $39,462. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 85.7, the purchasing-power equivalent is $46,047, a gain of $6,585.$33.5K$38.9K$44.3K$49.8K$55.2K$39,462NominalSalary$46,047CoL Adjusted(CoL: 85.7) 16.69%US Median $48.0K

Ridgeland, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $39,462 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,047 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$28,634

2025 BLS Actual

$37,594

2026 Current Est.

$39,462

2019–2027 Growth

+44.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Ridgeland (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical assistants in Ridgeland. Baseline $28,634 in 2025, projected to $41,424 by 2027.$23.3K$28.6K$33.9K$39.2K$44.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$28.6K$29.5K$30.6K$31.5K$34.6K$26.3K$37.6K$39.5K$41.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$28,634Actual
2020$29,498Actual
2021$30,600Actual
2022$31,489Actual
2023$34,558Actual
2024$26,330Actual
2025$37,594Actual
2026(current)$39,462Estimated
2027$41,424Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ridgeland metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $28,634 (2019) to $37,594 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,790 (44.67%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ridgeland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$32,992$35,453
3-5 years (Mid Career)$35,453$39,462
5+ years (Experienced)$39,462$40,678
10+ years (Top Earner)$40,678$46,921

MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Medical Assistant Job Market in Ridgeland

While Ridgeland currently employs just five medical assistants, the local job market shows promise, particularly in sectors like urgent care and specialty practices. With a cost of living index of 85.7—indicating lower living expenses—medical assistant pay in Ridgeland aligns favorably with take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, specialty practices such as orthopedics or dermatology tend to offer higher wages compared to primary care offices or corporate health clinics, often driven by factors like certification levels and the demand for bilingual capabilities in Spanish or Mandarin. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications or experience in specialized settings could lead to significant pay increases, particularly in an evolving healthcare landscape that rewards versatility and expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical assistants make in Ridgeland, MS in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical assistant salary in Ridgeland is $39,462/year ($18.97/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.97% annual growth). Salaries range from $32,992 at entry level (10th percentile) to $46,921 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Ridgeland at 17.7% below the national median. Full-time medical assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Ridgeland, MS a good place to work as a medical assistant?

Ridgeland medical assistant salaries are 17.7% below the national average and 4.0% below the Mississippi state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 medical assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical assistants make $100K in Ridgeland?

The median medical assistant salary in Ridgeland is $39,462, and the 90th percentile earns $46,921. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Ridgeland?

After adjusting for Ridgeland's cost-of-living index of 85.7 (where 100 equals the national average), the $39,462 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $46,047 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 16.7% further in Ridgeland compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Ridgeland?

Medical Assistants in Ridgeland earn a median hourly rate of $18.97, which translates to approximately $39,462/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $15.86 for entry-level positions to $22.56 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

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 $37,594 for medical assistantsin the Ridgeland 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 Ridgeland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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