Medical Assistant Salary in Maryland: $48,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $48,440/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,318 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($50,632), Gaithersburg ($50,304), Germantown ($50,268).
In Maryland, the projected average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $48,439, which positions the state slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a positive variation of +1.0%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city, Aspen Hill, offering an average of $53,148, while the lowest-paying city, Salisbury, reports $42,975. This $10,173 difference is driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas. Maryland's healthcare market is influenced by state licensing requirements and specific scope of practice laws that define what medical assistants may do in their roles. The projected growth rate for this profession in Maryland is a strong 4.97% annually, highlighting a healthy demand for medical assistants as the population ages and healthcare needs evolve. With 9,993 medical assistants employed statewide, major metropolitan areas like Gaithersburg, Germantown, Ellicott City, and Waldorf also offer salaries nearing $52,000, underlining the need for skilled professionals in these communities. Overall, the outlook for medical assistants in Maryland appears favorable, with consistent job opportunities anticipated in the coming years.
Maryland Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $37,369 (lowest entry-level) to $68,602 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland medical assistants earn 1.00% more than the national median (+$479/year difference).
Maryland Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Maryland range from $39,609 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,144 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,440. The Maryland median is $479 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.29/hr. Approximately 9,993 medical assistants are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,649
2025 BLS Actual
$46,146
2026 Current Est.
$48,440
2019–2027 Growth
+42.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,649 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,738 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,161 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,818 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,439 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,146 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.4% from $35,649 (2019) to $46,146 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,198 (42.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Salisbury | $42,975 |
| Hagerstown | $44,329 |
| Lexington Park | $46,386 |
| Cumberland | $48,520 |
| Towson | $48,924 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Hill | $53,148 | 109.3 | $48,626 |
| Gaithersburg | $52,804 | 109.3 | $48,311 |
| Germantown | $52,766 | 109.3 | $48,276 |
| Ellicott City | $52,647 | 109.3 | $48,167 |
| Waldorf | $52,592 | 109.3 | $48,117 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,609 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,440 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $59,144 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $53,148 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $52,804 |
| 3 | Germantown | $52,766 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $52,647 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $52,592 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $52,414 |
| 7 | Bowie | $52,165 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $52,002 |
| 9 | Frederick | $51,284 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $51,274 |
| 11 | Severn | $51,272 |
| 12 | College Park | $51,172 |
| 13 | Rockville | $51,106 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $51,081 |
| 15 | Potomac | $50,838 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $50,632 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $50,632 |
| 18 | Odenton | $50,460 |
| 19 | Catonsville | $50,049 |
| 20 | Columbia | $50,001 |
| 21 | Laurel | $49,797 |
| 22 | Greenbelt | $49,633 |
| 23 | Baltimore | $49,115 |
| 24 | Towson | $48,924 |
| 25 | Cumberland | $48,520 |
| 26 | Lexington Park | $46,386 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $44,329 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $42,975 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Maryland?
How does Maryland medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Maryland?
How many medical assistants are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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