Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Chicago, IL runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,619 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,777 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical assistants in Chicago, Illinois, earn a median hourly rate of $23.86, which is slightly above the national median of $23.06. This pay level is crucial for both part-time employees working three days a week and per-diem medical assistants, who typically operate in diverse settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care intake stations, and outpatient clinic rooms. The range of hourly pay for medical assistants spans from $18.47 for entry-level to as much as $28.95 for the top earners. Official BLS data indicates that in 2026, the hourly compensation reflects the demand for these healthcare professionals and could influence decisions regarding work schedules and employment settings in this dynamic city.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.47 | $147.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.53 | $164.26 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.36 | $202.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.95 | $231.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $49,628 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,632. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.39 | $4,136 | $49,628 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.63 | $2,481 | $29,777 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.75 | $1,654 | $19,851 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Chicago) | $23.86 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Chicago, IL earn a median of $49,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.46% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 8.10% above the Illinois state average of $45,901.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,777/year (purchasing power: $28,744).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,628/year (purchasing power: $47,906).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Chicago grew 30.0% from $17.48/hr (2019) to $22.73/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.05/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Chicago
When examining the financial prospects for medical assistants working part-time, one can estimate that a worker pulling 24 hours a week would earn around $28,951 annually, a significant difference compared to full-time counterparts. Per-diệm opportunities are particularly viable, with rates ranging from $20 to $30 per hour for general roles, while specialty practices in fields such as dermatology and surgery may offer $25 to $38 per hour. Facilities such as urgent care chains might even provide stipends of $50 to $150 for 12-hour shifts, enhancing total earnings considerably. Variations in hourly rates are evident depending on employer types across Chicago, whether in primary care offices, hospital outpatient clinics, or corporate health settings. Many medical assistants must evaluate the balance between accepting lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher rates without health insurance. Skills in negotiation can be essential for securing favorable pay, especially in a competitive job market like Chicago.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Chicago in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Chicago?
Are medical assistants in Chicago paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical assistant make per year in Chicago?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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