Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Radford, VA: $34,719 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Radford, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,719 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Radford's local price level (BEA RPP 103.2 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $33,642 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,028) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Radford, Virginia, new graduates entering the medical assistant field can expect a starting salary around $34,719 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level positions, creating a noticeable gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $42,028. Within the first three to five years, many medical assistants might see their pay progress from the entry-level wage to approximately $37,553. This growth trajectory indicates that Radford is currently a practical market for fresh graduates looking to begin their careers in healthcare, backed by a projected 4.97% annual growth rate in this sector as demand for medical assistants continues to increase.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Radford
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 Radford
Entry-level medical assistants in Radford, VA typically start between $34,719 and $37,553 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $15,050 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,028 — 12.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Virginia of $7,000 represents just 20.16% of the starting medical assistant pay ($34,719/year) in Radford. 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 Radford
- 1Research the Radford market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $34,719 to $37,553, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Radford, 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 Radford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Radford'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 Radford is $15,050 ( 43.35%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,719, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,769.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,689
2025 BLS Actual
$33,075
2026 Current Est.
$34,719
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,708 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,671 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,882 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,735 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,754 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,075 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,719 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,444 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Radford, VA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,689 in 2019 to $33,075 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,444. New graduates entering the Radford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford 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 Radford
Employers in Radford that typically hire new medical assistant graduates include primary care offices and urgent care chains, which often have structured onboarding programs tailored for recent coders. Specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, generally prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, though these roles offer compensation that can be 20-40% higher than entry-level positions. For those entering the field, obtaining a diploma or associate's degree from an accredited medical assistant program is essential, and additional certifications such as CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) can further enhance starting pay across Virginia. As medical assistants establish their careers, it’s wise to focus on gaining experience in primary care or urgent care settings, which are absorbing most industry growth. By pursuing additional certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, entry-level professionals in Radford can set realistic salary growth expectations within their first few years in this expanding healthcare role.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
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 Radford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Radford 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