Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Barre, VT: $37,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Barre, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,872 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Barre's local price level (BEA RPP 103.5 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,591 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,864) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Barre, Vermont, individuals entering the medical assistant field can anticipate a starting medical assistant salary of approximately $37,872 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $46,864, it sets a foundation for growth over the first few years of a medical assistant's career. New graduates can realistically expect their salaries to increase as they gain experience and possibly move up towards the $39,271 mark within a few years, trending towards the median. This growth trajectory combined with the region's strong healthcare demand suggests that Barre is currently a promising market for new medical assistant graduates, offering opportunities to begin a rewarding career in healthcare.
About the Barre Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in 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 Barre
Entry-level medical assistants in Barre, VT typically start between $37,872 and $39,271 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $17,962 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,864 — 2.29% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Vermont of $11,000 represents just 29.05% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,872/year) in 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 Barre
- 1Research the Barre market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,872 to $39,271, 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 VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in 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 Barre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Barre'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 Barre is $17,962 ( 47.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,872, experienced hygienists can earn up to $55,834.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,841
2025 BLS Actual
$36,079
2026 Current Est.
$37,872
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,895 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,754 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Barre, VT grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,841 in 2019 to $36,079 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,754. New graduates entering the Barre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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 Barre
When considering employment options in Barre, primary care offices and urgent care chains are among the most likely employers of entry-level medical assistants, often providing a structured onboarding process for new hires. Specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedic offices may prefer applicants with 1-2 years of experience, whereas Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may offer incentives like loan repayment programs for National Health Service Corps participants, particularly for those who are bilingual. Graduates can enhance their earning potential by obtaining additional credentials, such as certifications from AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, as well as gaining skills in phlebotomy or EKG. Those in the medical assistant workforce can expect a healthy growth rate, especially given the rapid expansion of positions in primary care and occupational health, which dominate hiring trends. With beginning salaries in Barre reflecting a competitive starting point, it's realistic for new medical assistants to seek incremental pay increases within their first three years as they build their experience in the field.
More salary data for Barre, VT:
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 Barre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for 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