In Alabama, it’s commonplace to enter the medical assisting field with a high school diploma. Even so, you can still earn about $13.74 an hour, or $28,570 a year, according to May 2019 stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But complete a medical assisting program (diploma, certificate, or associate degree) and get a few years of experience on your resume and you may earn upwards of $18.98 an hour, or $39,490 a year.
According to the Alabama Department of Labor, there were 7,730 medical assistants working in Alabama in 2019. The good news is that by 2021, this number is projected to increase to 8,110 – a near 5% increase in just a few, short years.
Average Hourly Wages for Medical Assistants in Alabama’s Metro Areas
Among Alabama’s largest metro areas, Birmingham ranked first for the number of medical assistants and the hourly wages they earn, both at the mid-level and at the top of the earning pyramid in the top 10%.
BLS stats reveal the following average, hourly wage range (median- top 10%) for medical assistants working in Alabama’s largest metro areas:
- Birmingham (greater Birmingham area includes Hoover): $14.51 – $20.35 (approximately 2,940 medical assistants)
- Decatur: $12.88 – $17.15 (approximately 160 medical assistants)
- Huntsville: $14.02 – $19.50 (approximately 1,300 medical assistants)
- Mobile: $13.44 – $17.53 (approximately 970 medical assistants)
- Montgomery: $13.31 – $17.58 (approximately 640 medical assistants)
Average Salaries for Medical Assistants in Alabama’s Metro Areas
The BLS reported the following salary range (median – top 10%) for medical assistants in Alabama’s largest metro areas:
- Birmingham (greater Birmingham area includes Hoover): $30,180 – $42,330
- Decatur: $26,790 – $35,670
- Huntsville: $29,160 – $40,570
- Mobile: $27,950 – $36,460
- Montgomery: $27,690 – $36,560
US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for medical assistants represents state data not school-specific information.
2019 job growth projections from the Alabama Department of Labor are aggregated through the U.S. Department of Labor-Sponsored resource, Projections Central.
Conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and employment data accessed June 2020.