Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) salary in Charlotte, NC (2026)
How much does a certified medical assistant (cma) make in Charlotte, NC? Pay ranges, what influences compensation, and tips for applying.
Median ~$44k · Data as of March 2026
| Source | Median | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
 Indeed | — | $20.76/hr |
 Glassdoor | $47,305 | $23.00/hr |
 ZipRecruiter | $40,388 | $19.42/hr |
 PayScale | — | $19.94/hr |
Compensation snapshot
Combined from reported medians, percentile spreads, salary floors/ceilings, and hourly rates across aggregated market samples (sources not shown).
At a glance
A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) performs clinical and administrative tasks that support day-to-day patient care in outpatient clinics and physician offices. They assist with vitals, basic procedures, rooming patients, and may manage documentation and front-office workflows.
What moves the number
- Certification Status: Holding a current CMA certification typically results in higher pay compared to non-certified medical assistants due to demonstrated validated skills.
- Experience Level: More years of experience, especially beyond 5 years, correlate with increased salaries as CMAs take on greater responsibilities and expertise.
- Work Setting and Specialty: CMAs working in specialized clinics like dermatology or oncology can earn more than those in general practice due to specialized knowledge demands.
- Geographic Location: CMAs employed in metropolitan areas such as Dallas or Austin tend to have higher salaries because of greater demand and cost of living adjustments.
Applying for this role
Be ready to highlight CMA certification, clinical skills (vitals, assisting providers), and any EMR/documentation experience. Prepare examples showing professionalism, patient communication, and comfort working in fast-paced healthcare settings.