Medical Assistant Pay

Boston vs Chicopee: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$53,262
$25.60/hr
Chicopee, MA
$50,011
$24.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAChicopee, MA
Median Salary$53,262$50,011
Hourly Rate$25.60$24.05
Entry Level (P10)$48,360$38,041
25th Percentile$50,333$40,671
75th Percentile$62,100$53,247
Top Earner (P90)$65,606$66,756
Total Employed10,75010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,262) and Chicopee ($50,011) medical assistant salaries.BostonChicopeeMedian Salary$53,262$50,011Entry Level (P10)$48,360$38,041Top Earner (P90)$65,606$66,756US Median $47,961

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chicopee.

The salary gap between Boston and Chicopee is $3,251 (6.50%). 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 Boston spans $17,246,Chicopee spans $28,715. Chicopee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$48,360
P25$50,333
Median$53,262
P75$62,100
P90 (Top)$65,606
Chicopee
P10 (Entry)$38,041
P25$40,671
Median$50,011
P75$53,247
P90 (Top)$66,756

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,195 effective) pays 6.73% more than Chicopee ($46,093 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,262
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,195
Chicopee
Nominal: $50,011
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,093

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

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

Choose Chicopee if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,756)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Boston grew 21.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.7% growth in Chicopee over the same period.

Boston, MA

+21.9%

$41,610 (2019) → $50,740 (2025)

Chicopee, MA

+-11.7%

$53,976 (2024) → $47,643 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Boston or Chicopee?

Boston has a higher median medical assistant salary at $53,262/year, compared to Chicopee at $50,011/year — a difference of $3,251 (6.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Chicopee?

Boston medical assistants earn $25.60/hr while Chicopee hygienists earn $24.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Chicopee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,195, Chicopee = $46,093), job availability (10,750 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $48,360 in Boston and $38,041 in Chicopee. 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