Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Medical Assistant Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, medical assistants earned a median annual wage of $46,700 ($22.45/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $37,200/year and the 90th was $52,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $38,349 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,700$22.45 per hour · $3,892 monthly
10th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base
25th Percentile$39,800$19.13/hr base
75th Percentile$49,100$23.61/hr base
90th Percentile$52,600$25.29/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$46,700
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,700
Net 82%
Fed 7%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,349After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,196Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,475Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,424 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,355 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,573 / yr

Medical Assistants Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Medical Assistants in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,095
25th Percentile$19.13/hr$3,317$39,800$33,080
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.45/hr$3,892$46,700$38,349
75th Percentile$23.61/hr$4,092$49,100$40,181
90th Percentile$25.29/hr$4,383$52,600$42,854

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio55.9%of area median income

Compare medical assistants salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assistants Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $46,700, which equates to approximately $3,892 per month or $22.45 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $22.45 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.29/hour.

What is the pay range for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for medical assistants in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $37,200 at the 10th percentile to $39,800 at the 25th, $49,100 at the 75th, and $52,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do medical assistants take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $46,700, an estimated $38,349 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,475 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,351 (an effective rate of 17.9%).

How much do medical assistants make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $46,700, gross monthly income is $3,892. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,196 per month (or $1,475 every two weeks).

Is $46,700 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $46,700, the median salary for medical assistants is 55.9% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.