Medical Assistant Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $45,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $45,788/year (≈ $22.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $46,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the projected median annual medical assistant salary in 2026 stands at $45,788, reflecting a 4.53% lower rate compared to the national median of $47,961. The local salary range indicates a diverse market, with earnings extending from $39,133 at the lower end (P10) to $49,441 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and suggest that the region has room for growth, particularly as medical assistants can transition to higher-paying roles such as LPNs or RNs through further education. The demand for skilled medical assistants is growing steadily as the healthcare sector expands, making Virginia Beach an attractive location for professionals seeking job security and opportunities for advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,133 | $18.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,245 | $19.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,788 | $22.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,465 | $23.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,441 | $23.77 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,308 (2026 est.). At $45,788, the local median is 4.53% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be above the median
How Virginia Beach Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $45,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $42,201 | +8.50% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -4.53% less |
Medical Assistants in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $45,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 8.50% above the Virginia state average of $42,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $45,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,010
2025 BLS Actual
$43,620
2026 Current Est.
$45,788
2019–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 32.1% from $33,010 (2019) to $43,620 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,054 (45.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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) | $39,133 – $40,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,245 – $45,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,788 – $48,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,465 – $49,441 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Virginia Beach
Currently, there are approximately 3,040 medical assistants employed in Virginia Beach, providing a robust job market in this field. The cost-of-living index for the area is 97.941, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay can stretch further in Virginia Beach compared to other regions. Employers who tend to offer the highest compensation include specialty practices in fields such as cardiology, dermatology, and orthopedics, while primary care physician offices and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress also provide competitive pay. Variations in salary among medical assistants often stem from factors such as specialization, additional certifications, and bilingual abilities. To maximize earning potential, individuals should consider acquiring certifications in phlebotomy or EKG, as well as pursuing opportunities in high-demand urgent care facilities, which frequently offer salary incentives for flexible shifts and specialized skills.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, 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 $43,620 for medical assistantsin the Virginia 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