Medical Assistant Salary in Delaware: $43,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $43,311/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $42,587 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($46,674), Newark ($46,167), Bear ($44,530).
In Delaware, the average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is projected to be $43,312, which is 9.7% lower than the national median of $47,961. Wilmington offers the highest average salary at $48,994, while Dover has the lowest at $43,038, creating a salary gap of $5,956. This difference can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas like Wilmington. Delaware's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws allow medical assistants to perform various clinical and administrative tasks, contributing to their demand in both urban and suburban settings. The job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.97%, indicating a steady need for skilled medical assistants as the healthcare industry continues to expand. Top projected salaries in other cities include Newark at $48,461, Bear at $46,743, Smyrna at $45,187, and Middletown at $45,067. With a total employed workforce of 482 medical assistants, Delaware’s job outlook remains positive, particularly in regions with larger populations and healthcare infrastructure. Understanding these factors can help job seekers navigate their career paths more effectively.
Delaware Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $37,211 (lowest entry-level) to $61,557 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware medical assistants earn 9.7% less than the national median ($-4,650/year difference).
Delaware Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Delaware range from $37,767 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,202 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $43,311. The Delaware median is $4,650 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $20.82/hr. Approximately 482 medical assistants are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,530
2025 BLS Actual
$41,261
2026 Current Est.
$43,311
2019–2027 Growth
+48.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,918 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,261 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,464 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 35.1% from $30,530 (2019) to $41,261 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,464 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,934 (48.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Dover | $43,038 |
| Middletown | $45,067 |
| Smyrna | $45,187 |
| Bear | $46,743 |
| Newark | $48,461 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $48,994 | 101.7 | $48,175 |
| Newark | $48,461 | 101.7 | $47,651 |
| Bear | $46,743 | 101.7 | $45,962 |
| Smyrna | $45,187 | 101.7 | $44,432 |
| Middletown | $45,067 | 101.7 | $44,314 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,767 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $43,311 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,202 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $48,994 |
| 2 | Newark | $48,461 |
| 3 | Bear | $46,743 |
| 4 | Smyrna | $45,187 |
| 5 | Middletown | $45,067 |
| 6 | Dover | $43,038 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Delaware?
How does Delaware medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Delaware?
How many medical assistants are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for medical assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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