Medical Assistant Pay

Cleveland vs Fairfield: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Cleveland, OH and Fairfield, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$46,008
$22.12/hr
Fairfield, OH
$43,532
$20.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHFairfield, OH
Median Salary$46,008$43,532
Hourly Rate$22.12$20.93
Entry Level (P10)$38,954$36,614
25th Percentile$40,760$37,807
75th Percentile$49,798$44,917
Top Earner (P90)$57,566$56,540
Total Employed5,1809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($46,008) and Fairfield ($43,532) medical assistant salaries.ClevelandFairfieldMedian Salary$46,008$43,532Entry Level (P10)$38,954$36,614Top Earner (P90)$57,566$56,540US Median $47,961

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairfield.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Fairfield is $2,476 (5.69%). Cleveland's median is -4.07% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $18,612,Fairfield spans $19,926. Fairfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,954
P25$40,760
Median$46,008
P75$49,798
P90 (Top)$57,566
Fairfield
P10 (Entry)$36,614
P25$37,807
Median$43,532
P75$44,917
P90 (Top)$56,540

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($48,985 effective) pays 2.06% more than Fairfield ($47,996 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $46,008
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,985
Fairfield
Nominal: $43,532
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,996

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,566)
  • Larger job market (5,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,985)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Fairfield if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Cleveland grew 25.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Fairfield over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+25.4%

$34,940 (2019) → $43,830 (2025)

Fairfield, OH

+25.3%

$33,102 (2024) → $41,471 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Cleveland or Fairfield?

Cleveland has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,008/year, compared to Fairfield at $43,532/year — a difference of $2,476 (5.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Fairfield?

Cleveland medical assistants earn $22.12/hr while Fairfield hygienists earn $20.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Fairfield as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Fairfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $48,985, Fairfield = $47,996), job availability (5,180 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Cleveland vs Fairfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,954 in Cleveland and $36,614 in Fairfield. The Cleveland 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