Medical Assistant Pay

Brookfield vs Madison: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Brookfield, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brookfield, WI
$49,774
$23.93/hr
Madison, WI
$51,173
$24.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrookfield, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$49,774$51,173
Hourly Rate$23.93$24.60
Entry Level (P10)$39,734$42,513
25th Percentile$43,544$49,871
75th Percentile$51,624$59,707
Top Earner (P90)$60,444$61,638
Total Employed62,080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brookfield ($49,774) and Madison ($51,173) medical assistant salaries.BrookfieldMadisonMedian Salary$49,774$51,173Entry Level (P10)$39,734$42,513Top Earner (P90)$60,444$61,638US Median $47,961

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brookfield.

The salary gap between Brookfield and Madison is $1,399 (2.81%). Madison's median is +6.70% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brookfield spans $20,710,Madison spans $19,125. Brookfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brookfield
P10 (Entry)$39,734
P25$43,544
Median$49,774
P75$51,624
P90 (Top)$60,444
Madison
P10 (Entry)$42,513
P25$49,871
Median$51,173
P75$59,707
P90 (Top)$61,638

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brookfield ($53,291 effective) pays 1.31% more than Madison ($52,600 effective).

Brookfield
Nominal: $49,774
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $53,291
Madison
Nominal: $51,173
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $52,600

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brookfield if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,291)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,173/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,638)
  • Larger job market (2,080 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Brookfield grew 22.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.9% growth in Madison over the same period.

Brookfield, WI

+22.9%

$38,567 (2024) → $47,417 (2025)

Madison, WI

+24.9%

$39,040 (2019) → $48,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Brookfield or Madison?

Madison has a higher median medical assistant salary at $51,173/year, compared to Brookfield at $49,774/year — a difference of $1,399 (2.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brookfield and Madison?

Brookfield medical assistants earn $23.93/hr while Madison hygienists earn $24.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brookfield to Madison as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brookfield and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brookfield = $53,291, Madison = $52,600), job availability (6 vs 2,080 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Brookfield vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,734 in Brookfield and $42,513 in Madison. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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