Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Binghamton, NY: $38,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Binghamton, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,272 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Binghamton's local price level (BEA RPP 92.9 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,213 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($43,153) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the medical assisting field in Binghamton can expect an entry-level medical assistant salary around $38,272, setting the stage for realistic earning potential in this burgeoning profession. This starting pay falls below the city’s median annual salary of $43,153, indicating a gap that entry-level professionals will work to close over time. With the potential for salary growth, newcomers in the field can anticipate progress up to $40,130 within their first few years as they gain experience and enhance their skill sets. Thankfully, Binghamton presents favorable conditions for recent graduates, as opportunities in healthcare are expected to expand at a growth rate of 4.97% annually, making it a promising market for new medical assistants.
Career Earnings Timeline in Binghamton
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 Binghamton
Entry-level medical assistants in Binghamton, NY typically start between $38,272 and $40,130 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,785 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $43,153 — 10.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in New York of $14,000 represents just 36.58% of the starting medical assistant pay ($38,272/year) in Binghamton. 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 Binghamton
- 1Research the Binghamton market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $38,272 to $40,130, 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 NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Binghamton, 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 Binghamton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Binghamton'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 Binghamton is $12,785 ( 33.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,272, experienced hygienists can earn up to $51,057.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,160
2025 BLS Actual
$36,460
2026 Current Est.
$38,272
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Binghamton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,174 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Binghamton, NY grew 39.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,160 in 2019 to $36,460 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,174. New graduates entering the Binghamton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Binghamton 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 Binghamton
Those fresh to the medical assistant profession in Binghamton should consider starting at primary care offices and urgent care chains, as these employers are known to hire recent graduates and often provide structured onboarding programs. Conversely, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically seek candidates with some experience, which can limit immediate opportunities. A diploma or associate's degree from an accredited medical assistant program is essential for entry-level roles, but obtaining national certification, such as the CMA (AAMA) or CCMA (NHA), can significantly enhance new grad medical assistant pay in NY. Additionally, the potential for specialization, such as phlebotomy or EKG training, may increase earning prospects. Most entry-level positions may expect a gradual increase in salary over the first few years, especially as surrounding industries, including corporate occupational health, continue to grow and offer competitive pay.
More salary data for Binghamton, NY:
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 Binghamton. 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