Medical Assistant Pay

Providence vs South Kingstown: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Providence, RI and South Kingstown, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Providence, RI
$49,357
$23.73/hr
South Kingstown, RI
$45,753
$22.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvidence, RISouth Kingstown, RI
Median Salary$49,357$45,753
Hourly Rate$23.73$22.00
Entry Level (P10)$41,232$37,467
25th Percentile$47,069$39,094
75th Percentile$51,047$49,254
Top Earner (P90)$59,193$58,516
Total Employed4,1205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Providence ($49,357) and South Kingstown ($45,753) medical assistant salaries.ProvidenceSouth KingstownMedian Salary$49,357$45,753Entry Level (P10)$41,232$37,467Top Earner (P90)$59,193$58,516US Median $47,961

Verdict

Providence, RI offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Kingstown.

The salary gap between Providence and South Kingstown is $3,604 (7.88%). Providence's median is +2.91% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Providence spans $17,961,South Kingstown spans $21,049. South Kingstown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Providence
P10 (Entry)$41,232
P25$47,069
Median$49,357
P75$51,047
P90 (Top)$59,193
South Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$37,467
P25$39,094
Median$45,753
P75$49,254
P90 (Top)$58,516

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Providence ($48,497 effective) pays 6.53% more than South Kingstown ($45,525 effective).

Providence
Nominal: $49,357
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $48,497
South Kingstown
Nominal: $45,753
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $45,525

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Providence if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,357/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,193)
  • Larger job market (4,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,497)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose South Kingstown if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Providence grew 27.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in South Kingstown over the same period.

Providence, RI

+27.9%

$36,760 (2019) → $47,020 (2025)

South Kingstown, RI

+8.8%

$40,068 (2024) → $43,587 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Providence or South Kingstown?

Providence has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,357/year, compared to South Kingstown at $45,753/year — a difference of $3,604 (7.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Providence and South Kingstown?

Providence medical assistants earn $23.73/hr while South Kingstown hygienists earn $22.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Providence to South Kingstown as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Providence and South Kingstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Providence = $48,497, South Kingstown = $45,525), job availability (4,120 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Providence vs South Kingstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $41,232 in Providence and $37,467 in South Kingstown. The Providence 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