Medical Assistant Salary in North Carolina: $47,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $47,495/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,743 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($47,281), Chapel Hill ($46,838), Charlotte ($46,520).
In North Carolina, medical assistant salaries in 2026 are projected to average $47,495, slightly below the national median of $47,961. This represents a -1.0% difference from the national average, indicating a relatively consistent local market. The highest paying city in the state is Concord, where salaries are expected to reach $49,631, while Jacksonville offers the lowest, at $39,280. This gap of $10,351 can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living in different areas, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities. North Carolina’s licensing requirements and the scope of practice laws allow for a wide range of duties that medical assistants can perform, which enhances their value in the workforce. Demand for medical assistants is driven by an aging population and growing healthcare needs, supporting an annual compound growth rate of 4.97%. Total employment in this field is projected to include 20,954 medical assistants across 45 metro areas in North Carolina, indicating a healthy job market with numerous opportunities. Major cities like Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, and Raleigh also report competitive salaries close to the state average, reflecting the continued need for skilled medical support personnel in diverse healthcare settings.
North Carolina Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $32,971 (lowest entry-level) to $65,958 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina medical assistants earn 0.97% less than the national median ($-466/year difference).
North Carolina Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in North Carolina range from $38,033 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $56,854 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,495. The North Carolina median is $466 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $22.83/hr. Approximately 20,954 medical assistants are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,817
2025 BLS Actual
$45,246
2026 Current Est.
$47,495
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,817 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,979 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,466 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,912 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,866 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 33.8% from $33,817 (2019) to $45,246 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,038 (47.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $39,280 |
| Goldsboro | $40,109 |
| Fayetteville | $41,852 |
| Rocky Mount | $41,936 |
| Leland | $42,431 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $49,631 | 93.6 | $53,025 |
| Greenville | $46,869 | 88.402 | $53,018 |
| Chapel Hill | $49,166 | 93.6 | $52,528 |
| Winston | $48,087 | 92.043 | $52,244 |
| Greensboro | $48,381 | 92.865 | $52,098 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,033 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,495 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $56,854 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $49,631 |
| 2 | Chapel Hill | $49,166 |
| 3 | Charlotte | $48,832 |
| 4 | Durham | $48,759 |
| 5 | Raleigh | $48,454 |
| 6 | Greensboro | $48,381 |
| 7 | Cary | $48,223 |
| 8 | Winston | $48,087 |
| 9 | Gastonia | $47,791 |
| 10 | High Point | $47,635 |
| 11 | Winston-Salem | $47,356 |
| 12 | Greenville | $46,869 |
| 13 | Asheville | $46,628 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $46,183 |
| 15 | Kannapolis | $46,110 |
| 16 | Apex | $46,002 |
| 17 | Pinehurst | $45,693 |
| 18 | Hickory | $45,442 |
| 19 | Burlington | $45,400 |
| 20 | Statesville | $45,313 |
| 21 | Kernersville | $45,275 |
| 22 | Matthews | $45,169 |
| 23 | Cornelius | $45,090 |
| 24 | Sanford | $45,051 |
| 25 | Wake Forest | $45,050 |
| 26 | Morrisville | $45,030 |
| 27 | Fuquay-Varina | $44,909 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $44,902 |
| 29 | Thomasville | $44,827 |
| 30 | New Bern | $44,811 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $44,799 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $44,091 |
| 33 | Wilmington | $44,087 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $43,952 |
| 35 | Monroe | $43,934 |
| 36 | Garner | $43,835 |
| 37 | Wilson | $43,803 |
| 38 | Boone | $43,613 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $43,236 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $43,067 |
| 41 | Leland | $42,431 |
| 42 | Rocky Mount | $41,936 |
| 43 | Fayetteville | $41,852 |
| 44 | Goldsboro | $40,109 |
| 45 | Jacksonville | $39,280 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in North Carolina?
How many medical assistants are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 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