Medical Assistant salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Medical Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $46,450 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,530 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $45,140. There are 5.2 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,420, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Median | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Average (mean) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
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 | $3,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.54 |
| Weekly | $893.27 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,520 | 6,060 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $46,160 | 3,810 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $46,090 | 1,730 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $45,810 | 1,350 |
| Greenville, NC | $44,650 | 600 |
| Asheville, NC | $44,420 | 1,470 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $43,620 | 3,040 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $43,530 | 310 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $43,290 | 820 |
| Burlington, NC | $43,250 | 310 |
| Wilmington, NC | $42,000 | 1,150 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $39,950 | 150 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $39,870 | 680 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $38,210 | 140 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $37,420 | 220 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,230 | $21.27 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $46,450 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $58,530 a year. The top 25% earn $49,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,780 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $41,340 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 1,800 medical assistants are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.