Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $35,503 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Wilkes-Barre, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,503 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilkes-Barre's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,451 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($44,621) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level medical assistant salary in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania reflects both the local market conditions and the broader healthcare landscape. New graduates can expect a starting pay around $35,503, which positions them below the city median salary of $44,621. This means that fresh medical assistants are beginning their careers substantially lower than the average wage across all experienced positions. Over the first few years in the field, it’s realistic for entry-level medical professionals to see salary increases, likely moving through to the $37,361 threshold and potentially aiming for the city median as they gain experience. Given the projected growth of 4.97% in the medical assistant workforce, Wilkes-Barre offers a promising environment for new graduates stepping into this role right now.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilkes-Barre
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 Wilkes-Barre
Entry-level medical assistants in Wilkes-Barre, PA typically start between $35,503 and $37,361 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,345 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $44,621 — 6.96% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Pennsylvania of $11,000 represents just 30.98% of the starting medical assistant pay ($35,503/year) in Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre
- 1Research the Wilkes-Barre market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $35,503 to $37,361, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilkes-Barre's moderate 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 Wilkes-Barre is $20,345 ( 57.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,503, experienced hygienists can earn up to $55,848.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,224
2025 BLS Actual
$33,822
2026 Current Est.
$35,503
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,224 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,512 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,822 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,503 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,267 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wilkes-Barre, PA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,224 in 2019 to $33,822 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,267. New graduates entering the Wilkes-Barre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
Employers in Wilkes-Barre keen on hiring new graduates include primary care offices, urgent care centers, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which often provide well-structured onboarding programs. In contrast, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics may prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience. Medical assistants looking to enhance their earning potential should consider gaining relevant credentials, including a diploma or associate degree from an accredited program, and obtaining certifications like CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT). With continued education and additional skills, like phlebotomy or EKG, entry-level medical assistants can better position themselves for higher wages in their first 1-3 years. As they build their experience, they can anticipate upward trends in pay, particularly when transitioning to high-demand areas within healthcare, where wages can be significantly bolstered, especially in specialty practices that can pay 20-40% more than primary care roles.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
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 Wilkes-Barre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilkes-Barre 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