Medical Assistant salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Medical Assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $43,290 a year ($20.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,900 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 4% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $45,140. There are 5.3 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,110, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| 25th percentile | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Median | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| 75th percentile | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Average (mean) | $42,110 | $20.24 |
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 | $3,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,803.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,665 |
| Weekly | $832.50 |
| Hourly | $20.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,290 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,450 | 1,800 |
| 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 |
| 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $43,290 a year, or $20.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $47,900 a year. The top 25% earn $47,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,080 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $36,830 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 820 medical assistants are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.