Medical Assistant Pay

Cleveland vs Lorain: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$46,008
$22.12/hr
Lorain, OH
$45,815
$22.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHLorain, OH
Median Salary$46,008$45,815
Hourly Rate$22.12$22.02
Entry Level (P10)$38,954$34,639
25th Percentile$40,760$39,884
75th Percentile$49,798$48,692
Top Earner (P90)$57,566$57,922
Total Employed5,18012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($46,008) and Lorain ($45,815) medical assistant salaries.ClevelandLorainMedian Salary$46,008$45,815Entry Level (P10)$38,954$34,639Top Earner (P90)$57,566$57,922US Median $47,961

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lorain.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Lorain is $193 (0.42%). 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,Lorain spans $23,283. Lorain 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
Lorain
P10 (Entry)$34,639
P25$39,884
Median$45,815
P75$48,692
P90 (Top)$57,922

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lorain ($50,513 effective) pays 3.12% more than Cleveland ($48,985 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $46,008
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,985
Lorain
Nominal: $45,815
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $50,513

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)
  • Larger job market (5,180 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lorain if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($57,922)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,513)
  • 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 Lorain over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+25.4%

$34,940 (2019) → $43,830 (2025)

Lorain, OH

+25.3%

$34,838 (2024) → $43,646 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Cleveland or Lorain?

Cleveland has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,008/year, compared to Lorain at $45,815/year — a difference of $193 (0.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Lorain?

Cleveland medical assistants earn $22.12/hr while Lorain hygienists earn $22.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Lorain. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $48,985, Lorain = $50,513), job availability (5,180 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,954 in Cleveland and $34,639 in Lorain. 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