Medical Assistant salary in Birmingham, AL
Medical Assistants in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $36,770 a year ($17.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,940 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 2% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $36,100. There are 7.2 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,120 | $14.96 |
| 25th percentile | $35,220 | $16.94 |
| Median | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| 75th percentile | $39,530 | $19.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Average (mean) | $38,760 | $18.64 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,414.23 |
| Weekly | $707.12 |
| Hourly | $17.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $36,920 | 1,720 |
| Decatur, AL | $36,690 | 250 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $36,490 | 510 |
| Mobile, AL | $36,350 | 1,310 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,050 | 900 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $35,930 | 590 |
| Montgomery, AL | $35,810 | 750 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $35,450 | 420 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $35,350 | 490 |
| Dothan, AL | $35,000 | 560 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $34,900 | 320 |
| Gadsden, AL | $34,250 | 450 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $42,050 | $20.22 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,150 | $25.07 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $26,530 | $12.76 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| Orderly | $31,310 | $15.05 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $36,770 a year, or $17.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $47,940 a year. The top 25% earn $39,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,120 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $35,220 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Birmingham, AL?
About 3,750 medical assistants are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.