Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Williamsport, PA: $37,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Williamsport, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,726 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williamsport's local price level (BEA RPP 92.3 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,851 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,544) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the medical assistant field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania can expect starting salaries to begin around $37,726, with potential growth over the first few years. While this entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $42,544, it is a reasonable point of entry for recent graduates. As new medical assistants gain experience, salaries should see a steady increase, as they can realistically aim for the P25 threshold of $39,196 within a couple of years before possibly reaching the median level as they approach three to five years in the profession. Given Williamsport's growing healthcare sector and a projected 4.97% annual growth rate, it appears to be a favorable market for new medical graduates looking to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williamsport
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 Williamsport
Entry-level medical assistants in Williamsport, PA typically start between $37,726 and $39,196 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $9,531 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,544 — 11.29% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Pennsylvania of $11,000 represents just 29.16% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,726/year) in Williamsport. 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 Williamsport
- 1Research the Williamsport market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,726 to $39,196, 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 Williamsport, 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 Williamsport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williamsport'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 Williamsport is $9,531 ( 25.26%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,726, experienced hygienists can earn up to $47,257.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,200
2025 BLS Actual
$35,940
2026 Current Est.
$37,726
2019–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Williamsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,601 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Williamsport, PA grew 32.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,200 in 2019 to $35,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,601. New graduates entering the Williamsport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsport 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 Williamsport
Employers in Williamsport that actively seek to hire new medical assistants are primarily found in primary care settings and urgent care chains, which are well-known for providing structured onboarding and support for recent graduates. Specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, tend to favor candidates with one to two years of experience, while Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may offer competitive benefits, including NHSC loan repayment for bilingual roles. To enhance starting medical assistant pay in PA, obtaining credentials from accredited programs and pursuing certifications such as CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or NCMA (NCCT) can be beneficial. In the first three years, as the demand for medical assistants continues to rise in primary care, urgent care, and corporate occupational health, new grads can expect salary growth that ultimately reflects their commitment to continuing education and skill acquisition while they work toward higher-paying roles in specialty practices.
More salary data for Williamsport, 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 Williamsport. 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