Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $22.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Rockford, IL runs $22.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,596 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,956 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected hourly median pay of $22.40, medical assistants in Rockford, Illinois, earn slightly less than the national median of $23.06. This hourly rate translates well for part-time workers who might work three days a week, offering a stable income while balancing other commitments. Common settings for medical assistants include primary care clinics, specialty practice rooms, and urgent care centers, where the hourly wage ranges from $18.98 for those just starting out to $25.67 for experienced professionals. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, provide a clear view of what to expect within the local job market. Given the significant demand in healthcare, including outpatient clinics and corporate health settings, the potential for growth in this field is robust.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.98 | $151.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.20 | $153.59 |
| Median (P50) | $22.40 | $179.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.78 | $190.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.67 | $205.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $22.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.40/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $46,593 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,881. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $896.02 | $3,883 | $46,593 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.61 | $2,330 | $27,956 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.41 | $1,553 | $18,637 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Rockford) | $22.40 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $46,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.50% above the Illinois state average of $45,908.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.40/hr = $27,956/year (purchasing power: $30,336).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,593/year (purchasing power: $50,560).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Rockford grew 32.2% from $16.14/hr (2019) to $21.34/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.51/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
When considering the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work, medical assistants clocking in at 24 hours a week could see annual earnings significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Employed part-time, they might expect to take home around $28,363 annually, compared to the income of full-time professionals. Per diem medical assistant pay in Rockford varies widely, with rates typically around $20-$30 per hour for general positions but reaching $25-$38 in specialty practices such as dermatology or plastics. Moreover, urgent care facilities often offer additional stipends for longer shifts, enhancing earnings for those willing to work arduous hours. The variety of employer types—ranging from primary care offices to hospital outpatient clinics—can also affect wages substantially. Some medical assistants may opt for positions with lower pay but with benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer higher hourly rates without additional perks. It's crucial for prospective medical assistants to negotiate effectively, keeping in mind the diverse factors influencing hourly rates in local healthcare settings.
More salary data for Rockford, IL:
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
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 Rockford. 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