Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $21.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Chester, PA runs $21.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,814 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,292 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the projected median hourly pay for a medical assistant is $21.07, which falls slightly below the national median of $23.06. This pay scale reflects a range from $17.95 for entry-level positions to $25.61 for those in higher-paying roles or with specialized skills. For part-time workers, particularly those employed three days a week, this translates to a manageable income while offering flexibility in various healthcare settings—including primary care exam rooms, urgent care facilities, and specialty practice environments. With this hourly rate, medical assistants in Chester can expect to navigate job opportunities across numerous facilities, although the overall financial landscape might not be as lucrative as in other regions of the country.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.95 | $143.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.45 | $147.63 |
| Median (P50) | $21.07 | $168.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.87 | $174.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.61 | $204.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $21.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.07/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $43,820 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,281. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $842.70 | $3,652 | $43,820 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $505.62 | $2,191 | $26,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $337.08 | $1,461 | $17,528 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Chester) | $21.07 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $43,814 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,357.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.07/hr = $26,292/year (purchasing power: $26,994).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,820/year (purchasing power: $44,990).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Chester grew 31.3% from $15.29/hr (2019) to $20.07/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.11/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 Chester 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 Chester
Evaluating the potential income for part-time medical assistants in Chester reveals that a typical 24-hour work week could yield around $26,500 annually, contrasting sharply with the steady income of full-time peers. Per diem medical assistant pay in Chester ranges widely; many can bill anywhere from $20 to $30 per hour, with specialized areas like dermatology and plastic surgery reaching up to $38 hourly. Various employers such as primary care clinics, urgent care chains like CityMD, and specialty practices exhibit distinct pay structures. Often, the trade-off comes in the form of benefits—where some medical assistants might choose positions with lower pay in exchange for health insurance coverage. Understanding these nuances is essential, and candidates could benefit from negotiating pay based on their specific roles and the employer’s funding structure, especially given the growth rate of 4.97% in this field over the next several years.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Chester in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Chester?
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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 Chester. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chester 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