Medical Assistant Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $40,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $40,886/year (≈ $19.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $43,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $40,886, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $47,961. The projected salary range for this occupation spans from $35,994 at the 10th percentile to $50,008 at the 90th percentile, offering a clear contrast in pay depending on experience and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that while jobs in primary care physician offices might offer lower compensation, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically provide higher salaries due to the demand for specialized skills. Consequently, opportunities for medical assistants in Myrtle Beach can vary considerably based on the type of facility and area of expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,994 | $17.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,608 | $18.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,886 | $19.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,922 | $22.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,008 | $24.04 |
Median Salary Position
14.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,014 (2026 est.). At $40,886, the local median is 14.75% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Myrtle Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Myrtle Beach Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $40,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $42,902 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -14.75% less |
Medical Assistants in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $40,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.75% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.70% below the South Carolina state average of $42,902.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $40,886 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,690
2025 BLS Actual
$38,950
2026 Current Est.
$40,886
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,918 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.9% from $30,690 (2019) to $38,950 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,918 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,228 (39.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $35,994 – $38,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,608 – $40,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,886 – $46,922 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,922 – $50,008 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, the job market for medical assistants is robust, with around 910 professionals currently employed in the field. A cost of living index of 93.642 suggests that while salaries are lower than the national median, the overall living expenses are more manageable, allowing for reasonable purchasing power. Among the local employers, specialty practices like cardiology and dermatology tend to offer the most competitive pay, followed closely by urgent care facilities like MedExpress. Factors influencing pay disparities include the premium associated with specialized certifications, such as phlebotomy and EKG, as well as the increased demand for bilingual candidates. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Myrtle Beach, pursuing further certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties can provide significant financial benefits, paving the way for a successful career in this growing field.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2026?
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Can medical assistants make $100K in Myrtle Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Myrtle Beach?
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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 $38,950 for medical assistantsin the Myrtle Beach 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