Medical Assistant Pay

Detroit vs Livonia: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Detroit, MI and Livonia, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$41,369
$19.89/hr
Livonia, MI
$41,339
$19.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MILivonia, MI
Median Salary$41,369$41,339
Hourly Rate$19.89$19.87
Entry Level (P10)$34,934$33,921
25th Percentile$39,458$35,603
75th Percentile$48,097$43,518
Top Earner (P90)$51,173$51,728
Total Employed12,40021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($41,369) and Livonia ($41,339) medical assistant salaries.DetroitLivoniaMedian Salary$41,369$41,339Entry Level (P10)$34,934$33,921Top Earner (P90)$51,173$51,728US Median $47,961

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Livonia.

The salary gap between Detroit and Livonia is $30 (0.07%). Detroit's median is -13.74% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $16,239,Livonia spans $17,807. Livonia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$34,934
P25$39,458
Median$41,369
P75$48,097
P90 (Top)$51,173
Livonia
P10 (Entry)$33,921
P25$35,603
Median$41,339
P75$43,518
P90 (Top)$51,728

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Livonia ($44,355 effective) pays 7.54% more than Detroit ($41,246 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $41,369
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $41,246
Livonia
Nominal: $41,339
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $44,355

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,369/year)
  • Larger job market (12,400 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Livonia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($51,728)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,355)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Detroit grew 16.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Livonia over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+16.0%

$33,960 (2019) → $39,410 (2025)

Livonia, MI

+7.2%

$36,723 (2024) → $39,382 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Detroit or Livonia?

Detroit has a higher median medical assistant salary at $41,369/year, compared to Livonia at $41,339/year — a difference of $30 (0.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Livonia?

Detroit medical assistants earn $19.89/hr while Livonia hygienists earn $19.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Livonia as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Livonia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $41,246, Livonia = $44,355), job availability (12,400 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Detroit vs Livonia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $34,934 in Detroit and $33,921 in Livonia. The Detroit 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