Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois: $48,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $48,741/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,197 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($47,763), Chicago ($47,270), Elgin ($46,848).
In Illinois, medical assistants can expect an average median salary of $48,741 in 2026, which is 1.6% higher than the national median of $47,961. The salary range varies notably across the state, with the highest paying city, Naperville, offering $50,137, while Bloomington features the lowest salary at $39,962. This gap of $10,175 is influenced by factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities. Employment opportunities for medical assistants in Illinois are expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.97%, reflecting consistent demand for healthcare services driven by an aging population and increased access to care. Notably, medical assistants must comply with state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job responsibilities and salary potential. The top five cities for medical assistant salaries in 2026 are Naperville ($50,137), Chicago ($49,619), Elgin ($49,176), Moline ($47,753), and Springfield ($47,383). Overall, the job market for medical assistants in Illinois shows substantial growth prospects and competitive salaries compared to national averages.
Illinois Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $34,000 (lowest entry-level) to $68,687 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois medical assistants earn 1.63% more than the national median (+$780/year difference).
Illinois Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Illinois range from $38,431 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,779 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,741. The Illinois median is $780 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.44/hr. Approximately 19,471 medical assistants are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,589
2025 BLS Actual
$46,433
2026 Current Est.
$48,741
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,589 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,467 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,987 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,921 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,791 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,433 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,163 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.5% from $35,589 (2019) to $46,433 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,574 (43.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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 Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bloomington | $39,962 |
| Kankakee | $40,350 |
| Urbana | $40,926 |
| Champaign | $41,075 |
| Carbondale | $42,990 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $50,137 | 97.1 | $51,634 |
| Peoria | $46,901 | 91.231 | $51,409 |
| Decatur | $45,200 | 88.422 | $51,118 |
| Springfield | $47,383 | 92.745 | $51,090 |
| Elgin | $49,176 | 97.1 | $50,645 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,431 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,741 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $58,779 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 65 Cities in Illinois
More Illinois Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Illinois?
How does Illinois medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Illinois?
How many medical assistants are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois 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 Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 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