Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Peoria, IL: $38,650 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Peoria, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,650 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Peoria's local price level (BEA RPP 91.2 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,365 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,901) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
2026 projections indicate that entry-level medical assistants in Peoria, Illinois, can expect to earn a starting salary around $38,650. This figure reflects a common entry point for new graduates entering the workforce, and it's crucial for them to understand that this amount sits below the city's median annual salary of $46,901. Over the first few years, entry-level medical assistants typically see a gradual increase in earnings, likely moving toward the $40,308 mark as they gain experience and develop their skills. Given the 4.97% expected growth in the medical assistant workforce, Peoria presents a suitable market for recent graduates looking to embark on their careers while contributing to an industry with a rapidly expanding demand for healthcare services.
Career Earnings Timeline in Peoria
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
Entry-level medical assistants in Peoria, IL typically start between $38,650 and $40,308 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,092 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,901 — 2.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Illinois of $9,000 represents just 23.29% of the starting medical assistant pay ($38,650/year) in Peoria. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Peoria
- 1Research the Peoria market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $38,650 to $40,308, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Peoria, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Peoria for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Peoria's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Peoria is $12,092 ( 31.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,650, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,742.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,310
2025 BLS Actual
$36,820
2026 Current Est.
$38,650
2019–2027 Growth
+54.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,650 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,571 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Peoria, IL grew 39.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,310 in 2019 to $36,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,571. New graduates entering the Peoria job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Peoria
In Peoria, primary care offices and urgent care facilities are the most significant employers for new medical assistant graduates, as they often have structured onboarding processes designed for entry-level talent. Conversely, specialty practices like dermatology and orthopedics typically seek candidates with 1-2 years of experience. To enhance their starting medical assistant pay in IL, new graduates should consider earning diplomas or associate degrees from accredited programs and obtaining national certifications from bodies like the AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT. These credentials can make a tangible difference in salary potential. Furthermore, those who strategically pursue opportunities in high-demand sectors, such as corporate occupational health or primary care, can expect realistic salary growth during their first few years in the field while keeping in mind that specialization in certain practices may yield a premium of 20-40% on their overall compensation.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Peoria. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov