Medical Assistant Pay

Rockford vs Streamwood: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Rockford, IL
$46,596
$22.40/hr
Streamwood, IL
$43,871
$21.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockford, ILStreamwood, IL
Median Salary$46,596$43,871
Hourly Rate$22.40$21.09
Entry Level (P10)$39,479$36,603
25th Percentile$39,931$37,850
75th Percentile$49,462$47,647
Top Earner (P90)$53,388$56,579
Total Employed6908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockford ($46,596) and Streamwood ($43,871) medical assistant salaries.RockfordStreamwoodMedian Salary$46,596$43,871Entry Level (P10)$39,479$36,603Top Earner (P90)$53,388$56,579US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rockford and Streamwood is $2,725 (6.21%). 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 Rockford spans $13,909,Streamwood spans $19,976. Streamwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Rockford
P10 (Entry)$39,479
P25$39,931
Median$46,596
P75$49,462
P90 (Top)$53,388
Streamwood
P10 (Entry)$36,603
P25$37,850
Median$43,871
P75$47,647
P90 (Top)$56,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($50,563 effective) pays 11.91% more than Streamwood ($45,181 effective).

Rockford
Nominal: $46,596
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $50,563
Streamwood
Nominal: $43,871
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $45,181

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Streamwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,579)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Rockford grew 32.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.2% growth in Streamwood over the same period.

Rockford, IL

+32.2%

$33,570 (2019) → $44,390 (2025)

Streamwood, IL

+7.2%

$38,981 (2024) → $41,794 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Rockford or Streamwood?

Rockford has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,596/year, compared to Streamwood at $43,871/year — a difference of $2,725 (6.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Streamwood?

Rockford medical assistants earn $22.40/hr while Streamwood hygienists earn $21.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rockford to Streamwood as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockford and Streamwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockford = $50,563, Streamwood = $45,181), job availability (690 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,479 in Rockford and $36,603 in Streamwood. The Rockford area offers higher starting salaries.

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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