Medical Assistant Pay

Cleveland vs Sandusky: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$46,008
$22.12/hr
Sandusky, OH
$42,261
$20.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHSandusky, OH
Median Salary$46,008$42,261
Hourly Rate$22.12$20.32
Entry Level (P10)$38,954$37,527
25th Percentile$40,760$38,597
75th Percentile$49,798$47,163
Top Earner (P90)$57,566$59,696
Total Employed5,180210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($46,008) and Sandusky ($42,261) medical assistant salaries.ClevelandSanduskyMedian Salary$46,008$42,261Entry Level (P10)$38,954$37,527Top Earner (P90)$57,566$59,696US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Sandusky is $3,747 (8.87%). 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,Sandusky spans $22,169. Sandusky 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
Sandusky
P10 (Entry)$37,527
P25$38,597
Median$42,261
P75$47,163
P90 (Top)$59,696

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($48,985 effective) pays 3.49% more than Sandusky ($47,335 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $46,008
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,985
Sandusky
Nominal: $42,261
CoL Index: 89.281
Adjusted: $47,335

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,985)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Sandusky if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,696)
  • 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 -7.7% growth in Sandusky over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+25.4%

$34,940 (2019) → $43,830 (2025)

Sandusky, OH

+-7.7%

$43,600 (2024) → $40,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Cleveland or Sandusky?

Cleveland has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,008/year, compared to Sandusky at $42,261/year — a difference of $3,747 (8.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Sandusky?

Cleveland medical assistants earn $22.12/hr while Sandusky hygienists earn $20.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Sandusky. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $48,985, Sandusky = $47,335), job availability (5,180 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,954 in Cleveland and $37,527 in Sandusky. 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