Medical Assistant Salary in Chicago, IL: $49,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Chicago, IL earns a median $49,619/year (≈ $23.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $47,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Chicago, IL, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,619, slightly surpassing the national median of $47,961 by 3.46%. This competitive compensation reflects the city's demand for bilingual professionals, particularly in Spanish and Mandarin, who often command a premium in diverse marketplaces. The salary range for medical assistants in Chicago is anticipated to be from $38,419 at the lower end (P10) to $60,211 at the high end (P90). Data sourced from official BLS OEWS surveys indicates a robust job market, making this an enticing career option for those entering the healthcare field, especially given the strong growth rate of 4.97% projected for the next five years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,419 | $18.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,712 | $20.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,619 | $23.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,758 | $25.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,211 | $28.95 |
Median Salary Position
3.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,792 (2026 est.). At $49,619, the local median is 3.46% above the national median of $47,961.
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How Chicago Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Chicago median: $49,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $45,901 | +8.10% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +3.46% more |
Medical Assistants in Chicago, IL earn a median of $49,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.46% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 8.10% above the Illinois state average of $45,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,897 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,360
2025 BLS Actual
$47,270
2026 Current Est.
$49,619
2019–2027 Growth
+43.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.0% from $36,360 (2019) to $47,270 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,725 (43.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,419 – $42,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,712 – $49,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,619 – $52,758 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,758 – $60,211 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Chicago
Chicago's healthcare scene supports approximately 15,640 medical assistants, indicating a solid local job market. However, the cost of living, slightly above the national average at an index of 103.595, impacts how far salaries can stretch for take-home expenses. Compensation varies widely among employers, with specialty practices such as cardiology, orthopedics, and dermatology often offering higher pay due to their complex service needs. To maximize earnings, medical assistants would benefit from pursuing certifications beyond the basic CMA or RMA, such as phlebotomy or EKG training. Additionally, gaining experience in urgent care settings may position candidates for better pay due to the shift differentials commonly found in these environments. With strategic career choices, medical assistants can effectively enhance their salary potential in the competitive Chicago landscape.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,270 for medical assistantsin the Chicago metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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