Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in New Castle, PA: $20.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in New Castle, PA runs $20.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,380 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against New Castle's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,030 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Castle, Pennsylvania, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected to be $20.86 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $23.06. This pay level offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem medical assistants working in primary care exam rooms, urgent care intake stations, and specialty practices. For many in this field, the hourly range spans from $17.33 for entry-level positions to $24.71 for experienced professionals in high-demand specialties. These hourly rates are reflective of the overall annual salary estimates derived from BLS data and indicate how compensation can widely differ based on skills, experience, and specific practice areas.
About the New Castle 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) | $17.33 | $138.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.64 | $149.14 |
| Median (P50) | $20.86 | $166.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.39 | $171.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.71 | $197.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Castle
Based on $20.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.86/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Castle, PA can expect to earn approximately $43,384 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,029. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Castle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Castle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $834.30 | $3,615 | $43,384 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $500.58 | $2,169 | $26,030 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $333.72 | $1,446 | $17,353 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (New Castle) | $20.86 |
| 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 New Castle, PA earn a median of $43,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.55% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,329.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.86/hr = $26,030/year (purchasing power: $26,725).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,384/year (purchasing power: $44,542).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in New Castle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in New Castle grew 31.3% from $15.13/hr (2019) to $19.87/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.89/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 New Castle 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 New Castle
When considering part-time work, a medical assistant who operates on a three-day-a-week schedule, typically totaling 24 hours, could anticipate an annual income of around $26,176, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. For those working as per diem medical assistants in New Castle, rates can vary vastly; while common bill rates fall between $20 and $30, specialty practices often push per-diem pay to ranges of $25 to $38 per hour. Urgent care facilities may even offer stipends of $50 to $150 for longer shifts. The type of employer significantly influences pay, with primary care offices usually offering lower compensation compared to specialty practices like cardiology or orthopedics, and corporate clinics might provide a mix of higher pay and health benefits that some workers may prefer over slightly higher hourly wages. Therefore, practical negotiation strategies can be critical for hourly workers looking to optimize their earning potential in this evolving healthcare environment in New Castle.
More salary data for New Castle, PA:
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 New Castle. 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 New Castle 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