It’s no secret that Mississippi’s healthcare system has been long been an underachiever when it comes to access to quality care. But impressive strides are being made here, and access to quality preventive and primary care services remains a priority in this southern state. According to the Center for Mississippi Health Policy, health leaders here have begun implementing strategies to improve the state’s healthcare performance. For healthcare support professionals like medical assistants, this sort of positive change bodes well when it comes to professional opportunities and earning potential.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in Mississippi earned an average, hourly wage of $14.16, or $29,460 annually in 2019. Earn a few years of experience and the CMA designation and you could see your earning power increase by $10,000 or more annually. In fact, according to the BLS, the top 10% here earned an average hourly wage of $18.98, or $39,480 annually during this time.
While Mississippi doesn’t come in among the nation’s top states for medical assistant growth, its steady rise in the number of medical assistant jobs in the coming years means more opportunities for those entering or advancing in the field. According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, there were 3,320 medical assistants in the Magnolia State in 2019; by 2021, this number is projected to grow to 3,280– a 1.5% increase.
Average Hourly Wages for Medical Assistants in Mississippi’s Metro Areas
Jackson lands on top among Mississippi’s metro areas for both its number of medical assistants and the pay these healthcare support professionals earn.
BLS stats reveal the following average, hourly wage range (median- top 10%) for medical assistants working in Mississippi’s largest metro areas:
- Gulfport (greater metro area includes Biloxi and Pascagoula): $13.53 – $18.18 (approximately 830 medical assistants)
- Hattiesburg: $14.50 – $18.41 (approximately 200 medical assistants)
- Jackson: $14.57 – $18.95 (approximately 950 medical assistants)
Average Salaries for Medical Assistants in Mississippi’s Metro Areas
The BLS reported the following salary range (median – top 10%) for medical assistants in Mississippi’s largest metro areas:
- Gulfport (greater metro area includes Biloxi and Pascagoula): $28,140 – $37,810
- Hattiesburg: $30,160 – $38,300
- Jackson: $30,310 – $39,410
US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for medical assistants represents state data not school-specific information.
2019 job growth projections from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security 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 May 2020.