Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Charlotte, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Charlotte, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$35,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Charlotte, NC
$34,314 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Charlotte, NC
$30,279 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $50,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $38,500▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $64,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $80,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 187 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,314▲ | $26,738 | +$7,576 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,885 | $43,035▲ | -$12,150 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,279▲ | $23,013 | +$7,266 |
| Total Employment | 50,000 | 170,000 | -120,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Charlotte, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $15,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 102 vs 187), Charlotte, NC provides better purchasing power ($34,314 vs $26,738 equivalent). Charlotte, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 6.85%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.