Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Dayton, OH: $37,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Dayton, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,621 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dayton's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,586 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($45,777) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the medical assistant field in Dayton, Ohio can expect starting salaries to be around $37,621 in 2026. While this entry-level figure sits below the city median of $45,777, it reflects a realistic entry point for many aspiring medical assistants. With experience, salaries can trajectory upward, reaching around $40,225 within a few years, allowing new hires to gradually bridge the gap before they attain the median wage. Strong job growth in healthcare, particularly in outpatient settings, makes Dayton a viable market for those looking to kick-start their careers in this field, especially with the local annual growth rate projected at 4.97%.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dayton
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 Dayton
Entry-level medical assistants in Dayton, OH typically start between $37,621 and $40,225 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,527 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $45,777 — 4.55% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Ohio of $7,000 represents just 18.61% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,621/year) in Dayton. 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 Dayton
- 1Research the Dayton market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,621 to $40,225, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dayton, 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 Dayton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dayton'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 Dayton is $18,527 ( 49.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,621, experienced hygienists can earn up to $56,148.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,350
2025 BLS Actual
$35,840
2026 Current Est.
$37,621
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,491 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Dayton, OH grew 36.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,350 in 2019 to $35,840 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,491. New graduates entering the Dayton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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 Dayton
Employers in Dayton frequently seeking new medical assistant graduates include primary care offices and urgent care chains, as they often provide structured onboarding programs that facilitate a smooth transition into the workforce. Specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, generally prefer candidates with one to two years of experience but typically offer a premium of 20-40% on starting pay. To boost earning potential, recent graduates should consider completing an accredited diploma or associate degree, alongside obtaining national certifications such as CMA or RMA. Focusing on certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA and AMT can enhance job prospects. In the first couple of years, there’s significant potential for salary increases in this fast-growing field, especially as the demand for medical assistants continues to rise sharply. Thus, by actively pursuing certifications and gaining experience, new grads can significantly enhance their earning potential in Dayton's competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
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 Dayton. 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