Medical Assistant Salary in Salisbury, NC: $44,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Salisbury, NC earns a median $44,902/year (≈ $21.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $47,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $44,902, representing a competitive compensation level in the local market. This salary reflects a range from $35,762 at the 10th percentile to $54,374 at the 90th percentile. Such figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, suggest that the city's diverse healthcare needs, particularly among bilingual professionals, can influence salary premiums significantly. Factors such as demand for Spanish-speaking medical assistants are likely contributing to this localized variation in pay, making Salisbury an attractive option for candidates looking to enter or advance in the medical assisting field.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,762 | $17.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,518 | $18.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,902 | $21.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,374 | $26.14 |
Median Salary Position
6.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,612 (2026 est.). At $44,902, the local median is 6.38% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salisbury Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $44,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $45,679 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -6.38% less |
Medical Assistants in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $44,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $45,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $44,902 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,972 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% 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
$32,581
2025 BLS Actual
$42,776
2026 Current Est.
$44,902
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,818 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,829 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,952 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,776 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $32,581 (2019) to $42,776 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,553 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $35,762 – $37,518 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,518 – $44,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,902 – $46,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,580 – $54,374 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Salisbury
The medical assistant job market in Salisbury currently employs six individuals in this role, highlighting a small but specialized workforce. The local cost-of-living index of 93.6 indicates that salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to national standards. Employers that typically offer higher wages include specialty practices—especially in dermatology and orthopedics—alongside urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can primarily be attributed to specialty expertise, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications in areas such as phlebotomy and EKG. To enhance earning potential, aspiring medical assistants should focus on obtaining specialized training and certifications, as well as consider roles in high-demand sectors. These strategies are likely to position candidates favorably within Salisbury's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Salisbury, NC in 2026?
Is Salisbury, NC a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Salisbury?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Salisbury?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Salisbury?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $42,776 for medical assistantsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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