Medical Assistant salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Medical Assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $46,160 a year ($22.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,420 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $45,140. There are 5.1 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,170, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| 25th percentile | $39,450 | $18.96 |
| Median | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| 75th percentile | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,420 | $27.12 |
| Average (mean) | $45,170 | $21.72 |
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 | $3,846.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,923.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775.38 |
| Weekly | $887.69 |
| Hourly | $22.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,160 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 |
| 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,570 | $15.66 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| Orderly | $37,930 | $18.23 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,370 | $17.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $46,160 a year, or $22.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $56,420 a year. The top 25% earn $47,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,720 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $39,450 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 3,810 medical assistants are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.