Medical Assistant Pay

Andover vs Boston: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Andover, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MA
$47,592
$22.88/hr
Boston, MA
$53,262
$25.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$47,592$53,262
Hourly Rate$22.88$25.60
Entry Level (P10)$38,980$48,360
25th Percentile$40,522$50,333
75th Percentile$50,069$62,100
Top Earner (P90)$58,954$65,606
Total Employed510,750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($47,592) and Boston ($53,262) medical assistant salaries.AndoverBostonMedian Salary$47,592$53,262Entry Level (P10)$38,980$48,360Top Earner (P90)$58,954$65,606US Median $47,961

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Andover.

The salary gap between Andover and Boston is $5,670 (11.91%). Boston's median is +11.05% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $19,974,Boston spans $17,246. Andover has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$38,980
P25$40,522
Median$47,592
P75$50,069
P90 (Top)$58,954
Boston
P10 (Entry)$48,360
P25$50,333
Median$53,262
P75$62,100
P90 (Top)$65,606

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,195 effective) pays 12.16% more than Andover ($43,864 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $47,592
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $43,864
Boston
Nominal: $53,262
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,195

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,262/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,606)
  • Larger job market (10,750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,195)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Andover grew -11.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Boston over the same period.

Andover, MA

+-11.7%

$51,366 (2024) → $45,339 (2025)

Boston, MA

+21.9%

$41,610 (2019) → $50,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Andover or Boston?

Boston has a higher median medical assistant salary at $53,262/year, compared to Andover at $47,592/year — a difference of $5,670 (11.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Boston?

Andover medical assistants earn $22.88/hr while Boston hygienists earn $25.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Boston as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $43,864, Boston = $49,195), job availability (5 vs 10,750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Andover vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,980 in Andover and $48,360 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov