Medical Assistant Pay

Boston vs Methuen: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$53,262
$25.60/hr
Methuen, MA
$49,555
$23.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAMethuen, MA
Median Salary$53,262$49,555
Hourly Rate$25.60$23.83
Entry Level (P10)$48,360$40,886
25th Percentile$50,333$42,730
75th Percentile$62,100$54,139
Top Earner (P90)$65,606$65,109
Total Employed10,75012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,262) and Methuen ($49,555) medical assistant salaries.BostonMethuenMedian Salary$53,262$49,555Entry Level (P10)$48,360$40,886Top Earner (P90)$65,606$65,109US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Methuen is $3,707 (7.48%). 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,Methuen spans $24,223. Methuen 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
Methuen
P10 (Entry)$40,886
P25$42,730
Median$49,555
P75$54,139
P90 (Top)$65,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,195 effective) pays 7.71% more than Methuen ($45,673 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,262
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,195
Methuen
Nominal: $49,555
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $45,673

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)
  • 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

Choose Methuen if…

  • 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 Methuen over the same period.

Boston, MA

+21.9%

$41,610 (2019) → $50,740 (2025)

Methuen, MA

+-11.7%

$53,484 (2024) → $47,209 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Boston or Methuen?

Boston has a higher median medical assistant salary at $53,262/year, compared to Methuen at $49,555/year — a difference of $3,707 (7.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Methuen?

Boston medical assistants earn $25.60/hr while Methuen hygienists earn $23.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Methuen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,195, Methuen = $45,673), job availability (10,750 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $48,360 in Boston and $40,886 in Methuen. 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