Medical Assistant Pay

Edison vs Trenton: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Edison, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edison, NJ
$54,515
$26.21/hr
Trenton, NJ
$48,234
$23.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdison, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$54,515$48,234
Hourly Rate$26.21$23.19
Entry Level (P10)$42,529$38,230
25th Percentile$45,317$41,673
75th Percentile$60,154$51,960
Top Earner (P90)$72,987$57,104
Total Employed20890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edison ($54,515) and Trenton ($48,234) medical assistant salaries.EdisonTrentonMedian Salary$54,515$48,234Entry Level (P10)$42,529$38,230Top Earner (P90)$72,987$57,104US Median $47,961

Verdict

Edison, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Edison and Trenton is $6,281 (13.02%). Edison's median is +13.67% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edison spans $30,458,Trenton spans $18,874. Edison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edison
P10 (Entry)$42,529
P25$45,317
Median$54,515
P75$60,154
P90 (Top)$72,987
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$38,230
P25$41,673
Median$48,234
P75$51,960
P90 (Top)$57,104

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Edison ($47,322 effective) pays 1.23% more than Trenton ($46,747 effective).

Edison
Nominal: $54,515
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $47,322
Trenton
Nominal: $48,234
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $46,747

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edison if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,515/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,987)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,322)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (890 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Edison grew 3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.6% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Edison, NJ

+3.8%

$50,013 (2024) → $51,934 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+22.6%

$37,490 (2019) → $45,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Edison or Trenton?

Edison has a higher median medical assistant salary at $54,515/year, compared to Trenton at $48,234/year — a difference of $6,281 (13.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edison and Trenton?

Edison medical assistants earn $26.21/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $23.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edison to Trenton as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edison and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edison = $47,322, Trenton = $46,747), job availability (20 vs 890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Edison vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $42,529 in Edison and $38,230 in Trenton. The Edison area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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