Medical Assistant Salary in Rockford, IL: $46,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Rockford, IL earns a median $46,596/year (≈ $22.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $50,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the projected median salary for medical assistants in 2026 stands at $46,596, providing a competitive wage within the context of the local job market. The salary range reflects variability in experience and specialization, encompassing figures from $39,479 at the 10th percentile to $53,388 at the 90th percentile. These statistics, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the potential for growth in this profession, particularly for those who are bilingual, as language skills can command a premium that enhances overall compensation. As Rockford's diverse healthcare landscape expands, so do opportunities for medical assistants, indicating a robust demand for skilled professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,479 | $18.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,931 | $19.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,596 | $22.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,462 | $23.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,388 | $25.67 |
Median Salary Position
2.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,909 (2026 est.). At $46,596, the local median is 2.85% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Rockford median: $46,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $45,908 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.85% less |
Medical Assistants in Rockford, IL earn a median of $46,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.50% above the Illinois state average of $45,908.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,596 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,563 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,570
2025 BLS Actual
$44,390
2026 Current Est.
$46,596
2019–2027 Growth
+45.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,912 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 32.2% from $33,570 (2019) to $44,390 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,342 (45.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $39,479 – $39,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,931 – $46,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,596 – $49,462 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,462 – $53,388 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Rockford
With approximately 690 medical assistants currently employed in Rockford, the local job market continues to thrive, especially in primary care settings and specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, known for offering higher wages. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 92.154, suggests that purchasing power remains favorable for medical assistants despite slightly lower earnings than the national median. Key employers, including urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress as well as hospital outpatient clinics, bolster compensation and benefits. The disparities between lower and higher salaries are largely driven by specialty focus, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications, such as phlebotomy or EKG expertise. To maximize compensation, aspiring medical assistants should seek certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT, consider positions in specialty practices, and leverage language skills to enhance employability in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $44,390 for medical assistantsin the Rockford 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