Medical Assistant Pay

Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Upper Arlington, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$46,544
$22.38/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$42,955
$20.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$46,544$42,955
Hourly Rate$22.38$20.65
Entry Level (P10)$37,810$35,197
25th Percentile$40,036$36,620
75th Percentile$49,325$46,193
Top Earner (P90)$52,286$53,177
Total Employed5,5609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($46,544) and Upper Arlington ($42,955) medical assistant salaries.CincinnatiUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$46,544$42,955Entry Level (P10)$37,810$35,197Top Earner (P90)$52,286$53,177US Median $47,961

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Upper Arlington.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington is $3,589 (8.36%). Cincinnati's median is -2.95% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $14,476,Upper Arlington spans $17,980. Upper Arlington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$37,810
P25$40,036
Median$46,544
P75$49,325
P90 (Top)$52,286
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$35,197
P25$36,620
Median$42,955
P75$46,193
P90 (Top)$53,177

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($48,804 effective) pays 3.05% more than Upper Arlington ($47,359 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $46,544
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $48,804
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $42,955
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,359

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,544/year)
  • Larger job market (5,560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,804)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($53,177)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Cincinnati grew 27.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+27.2%

$34,870 (2019) → $44,340 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+25.3%

$32,663 (2024) → $40,921 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Cincinnati or Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,544/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $42,955/year — a difference of $3,589 (8.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati medical assistants earn $22.38/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $20.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Upper Arlington as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $48,804, Upper Arlington = $47,359), job availability (5,560 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $37,810 in Cincinnati and $35,197 in Upper Arlington. The Cincinnati 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