Medical Assistant Pay

Milwaukee vs West Bend: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Milwaukee, WI and West Bend, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$52,055
$25.02/hr
West Bend, WI
$49,746
$23.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIWest Bend, WI
Median Salary$52,055$49,746
Hourly Rate$25.02$23.91
Entry Level (P10)$43,080$39,615
25th Percentile$50,386$41,561
75th Percentile$58,741$51,596
Top Earner (P90)$61,922$60,225
Total Employed4,1705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($52,055) and West Bend ($49,746) medical assistant salaries.MilwaukeeWest BendMedian Salary$52,055$49,746Entry Level (P10)$43,080$39,615Top Earner (P90)$61,922$60,225US Median $47,961

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to West Bend.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and West Bend is $2,309 (4.64%). Milwaukee's median is +8.54% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $18,842,West Bend spans $20,610. West Bend has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$43,080
P25$50,386
Median$52,055
P75$58,741
P90 (Top)$61,922
West Bend
P10 (Entry)$39,615
P25$41,561
Median$49,746
P75$51,596
P90 (Top)$60,225

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($53,700 effective) pays 0.82% more than West Bend ($53,261 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $52,055
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $53,700
West Bend
Nominal: $49,746
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $53,261

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,055/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,922)
  • Larger job market (4,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,700)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose West Bend if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Milwaukee grew 33.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in West Bend over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+33.1%

$37,270 (2019) → $49,590 (2025)

West Bend, WI

+22.9%

$38,546 (2024) → $47,391 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Milwaukee or West Bend?

Milwaukee has a higher median medical assistant salary at $52,055/year, compared to West Bend at $49,746/year — a difference of $2,309 (4.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and West Bend?

Milwaukee medical assistants earn $25.02/hr while West Bend hygienists earn $23.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to West Bend as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and West Bend. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $53,700, West Bend = $53,261), job availability (4,170 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Milwaukee vs West Bend?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $43,080 in Milwaukee and $39,615 in West Bend. The Milwaukee 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