Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Richmond, IN: $35,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Richmond, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,351 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Richmond's local price level (BEA RPP 91.3 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,720 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($45,493) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, Indiana, individuals starting their careers as medical assistants in 2026 can anticipate an entry-level medical assistant salary around $35,351. This figure reflects the lower 10th percentile and indicates that new grads might begin their journey with a pay check significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $45,493. However, there's an encouraging trajectory for early-career medical assistants; those who gain experience can expect their earnings to grow toward the 25th percentile of $40,238 within a few years. Overall, Richmond presents a reasonable market for new entrants into the field, especially given the competitive growth rate of 4.97% projected over the next five years, which suggests ample job opportunities for aspiring medical assistants.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Richmond
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 Richmond
Entry-level medical assistants in Richmond, IN typically start between $35,351 and $40,238 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,594 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $45,493 — 5.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Indiana of $7,000 represents just 19.80% of the starting medical assistant pay ($35,351/year) in Richmond. 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 Richmond
- 1Research the Richmond market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $35,351 to $40,238, 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 IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Richmond, 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 Richmond for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Richmond'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 Richmond is $20,594 ( 58.26%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,351, experienced hygienists can earn up to $55,945.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,120
2025 BLS Actual
$33,677
2026 Current Est.
$35,351
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,157 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,156 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,295 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,108 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Richmond, IN grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,120 in 2019 to $33,677 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,108. New graduates entering the Richmond job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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 Richmond
Richmond’s job market embraces new graduates from accredited medical assistant programs, particularly those who seek positions in primary care offices and urgent care chains, which often provide structured onboarding experiences tailored for beginners. Specialty practices like dermatology and orthopedics, however, tend to prioritize candidates with some experience. For those looking to enhance their marketability, additional credentials such as national certifications from AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT can lead to better starting pay and advancement opportunities. New grads should consider gaining experience in diverse settings, as growing sectors such as corporate occupational health are traditionally robust. Within the first few years, ambitious new graduates can realistically expect their salaries to increase significantly, especially if they strategically target environments that typically offer a 20-40% wage premium for specialized services, setting the stage for promising career progression.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is medical assisting school worth it in Richmond?
What do new medical assistants make right out of school in Richmond?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 Richmond. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richmond is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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