Medical Assistant Salary in Charleston, WV: $40,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Charleston, WV earns a median $40,088/year (≈ $19.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.7), that paycheck buys what $45,186 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Charleston, WV can expect a median annual salary of $40,088, reflecting a competitive pay scale relative to their national counterparts. The salary range for this role extends from $32,457 for the bottom 10% (P10) to as high as $47,404 for the top 90% (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a local medical assistant pay landscape that falls roughly 16.42% below the national median of $47,961. Given the steadily growing opportunities for medical assistants in the Charleston area, the pathway to transitioning into roles such as licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) adds value, enhancing long-term earning potential and job stability in a market where healthcare roles are expanding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,457 | $15.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,325 | $18.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,088 | $19.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,282 | $20.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,404 | $22.79 |
Median Salary Position
16.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, WV, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,947 (2026 est.). At $40,088, the local median is 16.42% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be above the median
How Charleston Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $40,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $39,302 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -16.42% less |
Medical Assistants in Charleston, WV earn a median of $40,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.42% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.00% above the West Virginia state average of $39,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 11.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.717 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $40,088 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,186 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.72% 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
$29,590
2025 BLS Actual
$38,190
2026 Current Est.
$40,088
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,080 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.1% from $29,590 (2019) to $38,190 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,080 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,490 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $32,457 – $38,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,325 – $40,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,088 – $42,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,282 – $47,404 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Charleston
Charleston has about 900 employed medical assistants, highlighting a robust local job market for healthcare roles. The cost of living index at 88.717 indicates that Charleston offers a more affordable environment, positively impacting the purchasing power of medical assistant salaries in the region. Major employers paying higher wages include urgent care chains like MedExpress and specialty practices such as cardiology and dermatology, where pay can notably exceed that of primary care settings. Factors influencing the variance in compensation include specialty premiums, language skills, and certifications such as phlebotomy or EKG. Those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Charleston, WV should consider professional certifications, gain experience in higher-paying specialties, and explore opportunities in urgent care and corporate health settings, where shifts can yield additional pay.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Charleston, WV in 2026?
Is Charleston, WV a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Charleston?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in West Virginia
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 $38,190 for medical assistantsin the Charleston 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