Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $21.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $21.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,969 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,987 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pittsburgh, the projected medical assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $21.62, which is slightly below the national median of $23.06. This wage reflects the unique market environment of the city and offers a promising opportunity for both full-time and part-time workers. Part-time medical assistants, particularly those working three days a week, may find this hourly compensation allows for a comfortable income while balancing personal commitments. The hourly range for medical assistants in the area spans from $17.55 at entry-level positions to $23.72 for top earners, making it a viable option for those seeking stability in a range of healthcare settings. Primary care exam rooms, specialty practice environments, urgent care clinics, and corporate workplace health settings provide numerous opportunities, allowing practitioners to adapt their work schedules to fit their lifestyle while still earning a reasonable wage as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.55 | $140.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.47 | $155.78 |
| Median (P50) | $21.62 | $172.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.32 | $186.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.72 | $189.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $21.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.62/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $44,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,949. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $864.95 | $3,748 | $44,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $518.97 | $2,249 | $26,987 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $345.98 | $1,499 | $17,991 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Pittsburgh) | $21.62 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $44,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,332.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.62/hr = $26,987/year (purchasing power: $28,506).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,978/year (purchasing power: $47,509).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Pittsburgh grew 34.1% from $15.36/hr (2019) to $20.60/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.70/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
When considering part-time employment versus full-time roles, medical assistants in Pittsburgh can take home considerably different annual incomes based on their hours worked. A medical assistant employed three days a week, clocking in at 24 hours total, could earn around $26,486 annually, compared to a full-time role that would yield almost double that. Moreover, many professionals in the field opt for per-diem work, with the potential to earn per diem medical assistant pay in Pittsburgh ranging from $20-$30 per hour, with specialty practices like dermatology and plastics offering even higher rates of $25-$38 per hour. Shifts in urgent care settings may also come with additional stipends, sometimes reaching $150, making this work particularly lucrative. However, medical assistants must weigh these higher pay options against the benefits typically offered by full-time positions, such as health insurance and retirement plans. Negotiation skills are essential in this environment, and it is advisable to research hourly trends across various employer types in Pittsburgh, from primary care offices to corporate health clinics, to ensure fair compensation reflective of their skills and certifications.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Pittsburgh in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Pittsburgh?
Are medical assistants in Pittsburgh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical assistant make per year in Pittsburgh?
Do medical assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Pittsburgh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Pittsburgh. 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