How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in North Carolina earns about $21.70 per hour ($45,140 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes out to roughly $3,762 a month or $868 a week. These numbers describe the middle of the pay range for the state's Medical Assistants.

That pay runs slightly below the national figures of $21.97 an hour and $45,690 a year, about 1% lower, which reflects North Carolina's lower cost of living in many areas. The state ranks 27th among all 51 states and territories for Medical Assistant pay. Around 23,650 Medical Assistants work across North Carolina, compared with 817,870 nationwide.

Entry-level positions in North Carolina typically offer around $17.31 an hour ($36,010 a year), based on the lowest range of reported wages. Some entry-level roles pay closer to $18.51 an hour ($38,490 a year), depending on the setting. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $45,140 within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Medical Assistants in North Carolina often earn upwards of $22.84 an hour ($47,500 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $24.45 an hour ($50,850 a year). The gap between entry-level and top pay comes to $14,840 a year. Practice setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual lands within that range.

North Carolina's typical Medical Assistant pay has risen steadily over the past decade, climbing from $29,830 in 2015 to $45,140 in 2025. That is a gain of $15,310, or 51%, over ten years. The increase has been consistent year over year, without any notable dips.

Nationally, Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same decade, so North Carolina's gain has kept pace with, and slightly outpaced, the country as a whole. Pay in this field has moved up steadily for ten straight years. That trend offers no guarantee for the future, but it gives someone starting now a sense of the trajectory.

Pay runs highest in Charlotte, where Medical Assistants earn $46,520 a year ($22.36 an hour), about 3% above the state figure. Durham and Chapel Hill follow closely at $46,450 a year, and Raleigh and Cary pay $46,160. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits.

At the other end, Jacksonville pays the least among the state's metro areas, at $37,420 a year ($17.99 an hour), a spread of $9,100 from Charlotte. Charlotte also has the largest Medical Assistant workforce in the state, with about 6,060 people employed there. Higher pay in cities like Charlotte and Durham typically comes with a higher cost of living.

Among neighboring states, Virginia pays close to North Carolina's figure, at $44,740 a year, about 1% lower. Georgia ($41,600), South Carolina ($41,160), and Tennessee ($39,570) all pay less, with Tennessee running about 12% below North Carolina's figure. For Medical Assistants weighing a move, certification or registration earned in one of these states can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring one, though requirements vary.

Medical Assistants in North Carolina typically earn $45,140 a year ($21.70 an hour), a figure that has climbed 51% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, with Charlotte offering the highest wages in the state. Readers weighing this career should check North Carolina's certification or registry requirements and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before making a decision.