Medical Assistant Salary in Wheeling, WV: $38,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Wheeling, WV earns a median $38,765/year (≈ $18.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $43,890 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for medical assistants in Wheeling, West Virginia, is projected to be $38,765, markedly lower than the national average of $47,961. The compensation ranges from $32,635 at the 10th percentile to $48,066 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied demands of this essential healthcare role across diverse practice settings. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures indicate the presence of a competitive bilingual premium, especially in markets where Spanish, Mandarin, or other language skills can enhance communication with patients. This unique dynamic can prompt better wage offers for bilingual candidates, further shaping the medical assistant salary in Wheeling.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,635 | $15.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,327 | $17.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,765 | $18.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,581 | $21.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,066 | $23.11 |
Median Salary Position
19.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, WV, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,431 (2026 est.). At $38,765, the local median is 19.17% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $38,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $39,316 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -19.17% less |
Medical Assistants in Wheeling, WV earn a median of $38,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.17% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.40% below the West Virginia state average of $39,316.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling has a cost of living 11.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheeling, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.323 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $38,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,890 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,280
2025 BLS Actual
$36,930
2026 Current Est.
$38,765
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.1% from $29,280 (2019) to $36,930 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,412 (38.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $32,635 – $37,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,327 – $38,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,765 – $44,581 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,581 – $48,066 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Wheeling
Currently, there are approximately 310 medical assistants employed in Wheeling, which contributes to a vibrant local job market for this profession. The cost of living index is at 88.323, indicating that living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, which positively impacts the purchasing power for those earning a medical assistant pay in Wheeling, WV. Employers in the area, such as specialty practices in dermatology and orthopedics, tend to offer higher wages compared to primary care physician offices or urgent care centers. A significant factor contributing to these salary disparities includes the specialty practice premium, where professionals can earn 20-40% more. Bilingual skills, advanced certifications, and taking on leadership roles can also enhance earning potential. For aspiring or current medical assistants in Wheeling, focusing on these areas may yield better compensation and job security.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
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 $36,930 for medical assistantsin the Wheeling 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