Medical Assistant Pay

Chambersburg vs Philadelphia: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Chambersburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chambersburg, PA
$46,008
$22.12/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$48,171
$23.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChambersburg, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$46,008$48,171
Hourly Rate$22.12$23.16
Entry Level (P10)$39,353$40,204
25th Percentile$40,896$43,699
75th Percentile$47,488$50,113
Top Earner (P90)$59,906$56,054
Total Employed24013,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chambersburg ($46,008) and Philadelphia ($48,171) medical assistant salaries.ChambersburgPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$46,008$48,171Entry Level (P10)$39,353$40,204Top Earner (P90)$59,906$56,054US Median $47,961

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chambersburg.

The salary gap between Chambersburg and Philadelphia is $2,163 (4.70%). Philadelphia's median is +0.44% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chambersburg spans $20,553,Philadelphia spans $15,850. Chambersburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chambersburg
P10 (Entry)$39,353
P25$40,896
Median$46,008
P75$47,488
P90 (Top)$59,906
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$40,204
P25$43,699
Median$48,171
P75$50,113
P90 (Top)$56,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chambersburg ($48,613 effective) pays 3.49% more than Philadelphia ($46,971 effective).

Chambersburg
Nominal: $46,008
CoL Index: 94.642
Adjusted: $48,613
Philadelphia
Nominal: $48,171
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $46,971

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chambersburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,906)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,613)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,171/year)
  • Larger job market (13,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Chambersburg grew 34.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.4% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Chambersburg, PA

+34.1%

$32,680 (2019) → $43,830 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+30.4%

$35,200 (2019) → $45,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Chambersburg or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median medical assistant salary at $48,171/year, compared to Chambersburg at $46,008/year — a difference of $2,163 (4.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chambersburg and Philadelphia?

Chambersburg medical assistants earn $22.12/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $23.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chambersburg to Philadelphia as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chambersburg and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chambersburg = $48,613, Philadelphia = $46,971), job availability (240 vs 13,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Chambersburg vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,353 in Chambersburg and $40,204 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 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