Medical Assistant Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $41,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $41,253/year (≈ $19.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.9), that paycheck buys what $43,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical assistants in Harrisonburg, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $41,253 in 2026. This figure positions them significantly below the national average, which stands at $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants in the area varies from $39,931 at the lower end (P10) to $49,829 at the upper end (P90), showing a healthy market for those with varying levels of experience and specialization. Given the local population's diverse demographics, bilingual medical assistants may command a premium in pay, enhancing their desirability in an increasingly competitive healthcare environment. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicate that Harrisonburg's job market supports approximately 300 medical assistants, reflecting steady employment opportunities in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,931 | $19.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,253 | $19.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,253 | $19.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,588 | $21.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,829 | $23.95 |
Median Salary Position
13.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,898 (2026 est.). At $41,253, the local median is 13.99% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Harrisonburg Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $41,253/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $42,224 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -13.99% less |
Medical Assistants in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $41,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.99% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.30% below the Virginia state average of $42,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 5.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 94.892 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $41,253 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,474 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,320
2025 BLS Actual
$39,300
2026 Current Est.
$41,253
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,303 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 21.6% from $32,320 (2019) to $39,300 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,983 (33.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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) | $39,931 – $41,253 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,253 – $41,253 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,253 – $45,588 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,588 – $49,829 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Harrisonburg
In examining the local job market, there are several factors influencing medical assistant pay in Harrisonburg, VA. The cost of living index is below the national average at 94.892, suggesting that while salaries may be lower, the purchasing power remains relatively stable for residents. Among local employers, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically offer the highest wages, capitalizing on more complex care demands. Enhancements in pay can be achieved through specialties or possessing additional credentials, such as phlebotomy or EKG training. The variance in compensation is driven by factors like bilingual capabilities, specialty expertise, and experience in urgent care settings, where pay is often more competitive. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing certification from accredited bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT can enhance job prospects and overall salary potential.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $39,300 for medical assistantsin the Harrisonburg 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