PayByState

North Carolina · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in North Carolina

Median $39,060 · Top 10% earn $49,220+ · Roughly 24,448 workers in North Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Carolina median
$39,060
$18.78/hr
Top 10%
$49,220
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$29,060
Entry-level range
Real pay
$42,136
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

North Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for medical assistants — $39,060 versus the national median of $42,000. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 24,448 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in North Carolina

North Carolina MA pay tracks moderately below national median. Duke, UNC, and Atrium Health are the largest employers; specialty practices in Charlotte and the Triangle pay highest.

North Carolina ranks #34 of 50 states

Where North Carolina sits in the national distribution for medical assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. North Carolina
#33 Ohio $39,480 +$420
#32 New Mexico $39,480 +$420
#31 Florida $39,480 +$420
#34 North Carolina (this page) $39,060 —
#36 Georgia $38,640 −$420
#37 South Carolina $38,220 −$840
#38 Indiana $38,220 −$840
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Education path for North Carolina

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (most common); some on-the-job, taking about 9 months. Tuition ranges from $1,200 (community college) to $18,000 (private accelerated). On the North Carolina median of $39,060, payback periods are typically 2.5 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Medical Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with North Carolina selected.

Medical Assistant salary in North Carolina — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in North Carolina?
The median medical assistant salary in North Carolina is $39,060 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $29,060; the top 10% earn $49,220 or more. About 24,448 people work in this role across the state.
How does North Carolina medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina's median of $39,060 is $2,940 below the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $42,136.
Is medical assistant a good career in North Carolina?
On the data: North Carolina employs roughly 24,448 medical assistants, with a median wage of $39,060 and the top decile clearing $49,220. The role is projected to grow +14% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for medical assistants in North Carolina?
At the North Carolina median of $39,060 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $18.78/hr. The top 10% earn around $23.66/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $13.97/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Carolina-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9092: Medical Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where North Carolina's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.