Medical Assistant Pay

Norristown vs Pittsburgh: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Norristown, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Norristown, PA
$43,916
$21.11/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$44,969
$21.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorristown, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$43,916$44,969
Hourly Rate$21.11$21.62
Entry Level (P10)$33,923$36,519
25th Percentile$38,591$40,497
75th Percentile$45,749$48,507
Top Earner (P90)$53,495$49,346
Total Employed94,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Norristown ($43,916) and Pittsburgh ($44,969) medical assistant salaries.NorristownPittsburghMedian Salary$43,916$44,969Entry Level (P10)$33,923$36,519Top Earner (P90)$53,495$49,346US Median $47,961

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Norristown.

The salary gap between Norristown and Pittsburgh is $1,053 (2.40%). Pittsburgh's median is -6.24% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Norristown spans $19,572,Pittsburgh spans $12,827. Norristown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Norristown
P10 (Entry)$33,923
P25$38,591
Median$43,916
P75$45,749
P90 (Top)$53,495
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$36,519
P25$40,497
Median$44,969
P75$48,507
P90 (Top)$49,346

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($47,500 effective) pays 5.35% more than Norristown ($45,088 effective).

Norristown
Nominal: $43,916
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $45,088
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $44,969
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $47,500

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Norristown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($53,495)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,969/year)
  • Larger job market (4,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,500)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Norristown grew 10.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

Norristown, PA

+10.9%

$37,735 (2024) → $41,837 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+34.1%

$31,950 (2019) → $42,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Norristown or Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has a higher median medical assistant salary at $44,969/year, compared to Norristown at $43,916/year — a difference of $1,053 (2.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Norristown and Pittsburgh?

Norristown medical assistants earn $21.11/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $21.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Norristown to Pittsburgh as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Norristown and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Norristown = $45,088, Pittsburgh = $47,500), job availability (9 vs 4,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Norristown vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $33,923 in Norristown and $36,519 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh 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