Medical Assistant Pay

Fort Wayne vs Plainfield: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Plainfield, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$47,467
$22.82/hr
Plainfield, IN
$46,196
$22.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INPlainfield, IN
Median Salary$47,467$46,196
Hourly Rate$22.82$22.21
Entry Level (P10)$39,931$37,080
25th Percentile$41,327$40,706
75th Percentile$49,640$48,198
Top Earner (P90)$57,838$56,566
Total Employed1,7607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($47,467) and Plainfield ($46,196) medical assistant salaries.Fort WaynePlainfieldMedian Salary$47,467$46,196Entry Level (P10)$39,931$37,080Top Earner (P90)$57,838$56,566US Median $47,961

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Plainfield.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Plainfield is $1,271 (2.75%). Fort Wayne's median is -1.03% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $17,907,Plainfield spans $19,486. Plainfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$39,931
P25$41,327
Median$47,467
P75$49,640
P90 (Top)$57,838
Plainfield
P10 (Entry)$37,080
P25$40,706
Median$46,196
P75$48,198
P90 (Top)$56,566

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($51,276 effective) pays 1.34% more than Plainfield ($50,598 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $47,467
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $51,276
Plainfield
Nominal: $46,196
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $50,598

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,467/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,838)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,276)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Plainfield if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Fort Wayne grew 41.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Plainfield over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+41.4%

$31,980 (2019) → $45,220 (2025)

Plainfield, IN

+28.4%

$34,285 (2024) → $44,009 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Fort Wayne or Plainfield?

Fort Wayne has a higher median medical assistant salary at $47,467/year, compared to Plainfield at $46,196/year — a difference of $1,271 (2.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Plainfield?

Fort Wayne medical assistants earn $22.82/hr while Plainfield hygienists earn $22.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Plainfield as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Plainfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $51,276, Plainfield = $50,598), job availability (1,760 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Fort Wayne vs Plainfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,931 in Fort Wayne and $37,080 in Plainfield. The Fort Wayne 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