Medical Assistant Pay

Trenton vs Woodbridge: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Trenton, NJ and Woodbridge, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$48,234
$23.19/hr
Woodbridge, NJ
$55,997
$26.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJWoodbridge, NJ
Median Salary$48,234$55,997
Hourly Rate$23.19$26.92
Entry Level (P10)$38,230$41,626
25th Percentile$41,673$48,316
75th Percentile$51,960$62,267
Top Earner (P90)$57,104$76,068
Total Employed89025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($48,234) and Woodbridge ($55,997) medical assistant salaries.TrentonWoodbridgeMedian Salary$48,234$55,997Entry Level (P10)$38,230$41,626Top Earner (P90)$57,104$76,068US Median $47,961

Verdict

Woodbridge, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Trenton and Woodbridge is $7,763 (16.09%). Woodbridge's median is +16.76% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $18,874,Woodbridge spans $34,442. Woodbridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$38,230
P25$41,673
Median$48,234
P75$51,960
P90 (Top)$57,104
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$41,626
P25$48,316
Median$55,997
P75$62,267
P90 (Top)$76,068

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Woodbridge ($48,609 effective) pays 3.98% more than Trenton ($46,747 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $48,234
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $46,747
Woodbridge
Nominal: $55,997
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $48,609

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (890 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbridge if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,997/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($76,068)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,609)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Trenton grew 22.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.8% growth in Woodbridge over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+22.6%

$37,490 (2019) → $45,950 (2025)

Woodbridge, NJ

+3.8%

$51,373 (2024) → $53,346 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Trenton or Woodbridge?

Woodbridge has a higher median medical assistant salary at $55,997/year, compared to Trenton at $48,234/year — a difference of $7,763 (16.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Woodbridge?

Trenton medical assistants earn $23.19/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $26.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Woodbridge as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $46,747, Woodbridge = $48,609), job availability (890 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Trenton vs Woodbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,230 in Trenton and $41,626 in Woodbridge. The Woodbridge 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