Medical Assistant salary in North Carolina
Medical Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $45,140 a year ($21.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $45,690. North Carolina ranks 27th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 4.8 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,090, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Median | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| 75th percentile | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Average (mean) | $44,090 | $21.20 |
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 | $3,761.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,880.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,736.15 |
| Weekly | $868.08 |
| Hourly | $21.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,140 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Orderly | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for medical assistants in North Carolina is $45,140 a year, or $21.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of medical assistants in North Carolina earn at least $50,850 a year. The top 25% earn $47,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,010 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $38,490 or less.
How many medical assistants work in North Carolina?
About 23,650 medical assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.