Medical Assistant Pay

Oak Lawn vs Rockford: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Oak Lawn, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oak Lawn, IL
$44,725
$21.50/hr
Rockford, IL
$46,596
$22.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOak Lawn, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$44,725$46,596
Hourly Rate$21.50$22.40
Entry Level (P10)$35,932$39,479
25th Percentile$36,964$39,931
75th Percentile$48,212$49,462
Top Earner (P90)$57,846$53,388
Total Employed14690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oak Lawn ($44,725) and Rockford ($46,596) medical assistant salaries.Oak LawnRockfordMedian Salary$44,725$46,596Entry Level (P10)$35,932$39,479Top Earner (P90)$57,846$53,388US Median $47,961

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oak Lawn.

The salary gap between Oak Lawn and Rockford is $1,871 (4.18%). Rockford's median is -2.85% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oak Lawn spans $21,914,Rockford spans $13,909. Oak Lawn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oak Lawn
P10 (Entry)$35,932
P25$36,964
Median$44,725
P75$48,212
P90 (Top)$57,846
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$39,479
P25$39,931
Median$46,596
P75$49,462
P90 (Top)$53,388

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($50,563 effective) pays 9.77% more than Oak Lawn ($46,061 effective).

Oak Lawn
Nominal: $44,725
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $46,061
Rockford
Nominal: $46,596
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $50,563

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oak Lawn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($57,846)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,596/year)
  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,563)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Oak Lawn grew 7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.2% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Oak Lawn, IL

+7.2%

$39,739 (2024) → $42,607 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+32.2%

$33,570 (2019) → $44,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Oak Lawn or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,596/year, compared to Oak Lawn at $44,725/year — a difference of $1,871 (4.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oak Lawn and Rockford?

Oak Lawn medical assistants earn $21.50/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $22.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oak Lawn to Rockford as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oak Lawn and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oak Lawn = $46,061, Rockford = $50,563), job availability (14 vs 690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Oak Lawn vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $35,932 in Oak Lawn and $39,479 in Rockford. The Rockford 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