Medical Assistant Pay

Medical Assistant Salary in Massachusetts: $52,332 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $52,332/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,232 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($50,740), Newton ($50,332), Barnstable Town ($49,900).

Medical Assistant Salary in Massachusetts - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Massachusetts medical assistant salary overview (2026)
$52,332
Avg Median Salary
$25.16
Avg Hourly Rate
15,317
Metro Employed
59
Cities

In Massachusetts, the projected average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $52,332, which is a significant 9.1% higher than the national median of $47,961. The highest paying city within the state is Boston, where salaries are anticipated to reach $53,262. In contrast, Andover offers the lowest projected salary at $47,592, resulting in a salary gap of $5,670. Factors contributing to this disparity include the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas like Boston. Massachusetts has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence salaries and job responsibilities. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 4.97%. This growth is driven by an aging population, increased healthcare access, and the need for administrative support in medical settings. With 15,317 medical assistants employed across the state, cities such as Newton ($52,834), Barnstable Town ($52,380), Cambridge ($51,990), and Lynn ($51,626) also reflect competitive salaries that align with local market demands. Overall, Massachusetts presents a favorable landscape for those pursuing a career as a medical assistant.

Massachusetts Medical Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$46,619
avg across 59 cities
Median
$52,332
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$64,483
avg across 59 cities

Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $37,298 (lowest entry-level) to $69,145 (highest top earner)

Massachusetts vs National Average

Massachusetts
$52,332
National Median
$47,961

Massachusetts medical assistants earn 9.11% more than the national median (+$4,371/year difference).

Massachusetts Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Massachusetts medical assistant salary percentiles: 10th percentile $46,619, 25th $49,117, Median $52,332, 75th $60,230, 90th $64,483. US national median is $47,961.$18.1K$36.1K$54.2K$72.2K$46.6K10thEntry Level$49.1K25thEarly Career$52.3KMedianMid Career$60.2K75thExperienced$64.5K90thTop EarnerUS Median $48.0K

Medical Assistant salaries in Massachusetts range from $46,619 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,483 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,332. The Massachusetts median is $4,371 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $25.16/hr. Approximately 15,317 medical assistants are employed across 59 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$40,891

2025 BLS Actual

$49,854

2026 Current Est.

$52,332

2019–2027 Growth

+34.3%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Massachusetts (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical assistants in Massachusetts. Baseline $40,891 in 2025, projected to $54,933 by 2027.$38.1K$43.0K$47.9K$52.8K$57.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$40.9K$42.5K$44.7K$45.3K$47.5K$49.0K$49.9K$52.3K$54.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$40,891Actual
2020$42,476Actual
2021$44,721Actual
2022$45,317Actual
2023$47,487Actual
2024$48,967Actual
2025$49,854Actual
2026(current)$52,332Estimated
2027$54,933Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 21.9% from $40,891 (2019) to $49,854 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,933 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,042 (34.34%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Massachusetts

#1
Boston
10,750 employed · $25.60/hr
$53,262
+1.78% vs avg
#2
Newton
16 employed · $25.40/hr
$52,834
+0.96% vs avg
#3
Barnstable Town
380 employed · $25.18/hr
$52,380
+0.09% vs avg
#4
Cambridge
22 employed · $24.99/hr
$51,990
-0.65% vs avg
#5
Lynn
24 employed · $24.83/hr
$51,626
-1.35% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts

CityMedian Salary
Andover$47,592
Leominster$47,710
Wellesley$47,753
Chelmsford$47,780
Woburn$47,822

Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Massachusetts

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Barnstable Town$52,38098.351$53,258
Springfield$50,92196.061$53,009
Pittsfield$48,27695.106$50,760
Amherst Town$49,609100.243$49,489
Boston$53,262108.266$49,195

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$46,619
Mid Career (3-7 years)$52,332
Experienced (7+ years)$64,483

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 59 Cities in Massachusetts

#CityMedian Salary
1Boston$53,262
2Newton$52,834
3Barnstable Town$52,380
4Cambridge$51,990
5Lynn$51,626
6Somerville$50,950
7Springfield$50,921
8Revere$50,871
9Brockton$50,696
10New Bedford$50,640
11Plymouth$50,608
12Malden$50,425
13Haverhill$50,417
14Lowell$50,404
15Framingham$50,381
16Peabody$50,313
17Weymouth$50,162
18Chicopee$50,011
19Randolph$49,956
20Quincy$49,868
21Amherst$49,808
22Chelsea$49,804
23Medford$49,669
24Fall River$49,621
25Marlborough$49,621
26Watertown$49,613
27Amherst Town$49,609
28Worcester$49,588
29Fitchburg$49,574
30Methuen$49,555
31Taunton$49,533
32Arlington$49,515
33Needham$49,387
34Westfield$49,363
35Everett$49,356
36Holyoke$49,102
37Lawrence$49,020
38Beverly$49,020
39Dartmouth$48,962
40Northampton$48,952
41Waltham$48,912
42Barnstable$48,860
43Brookline$48,753
44Billerica$48,677
45Braintree$48,513
46Salem$48,431
47Natick$48,400
48Pittsfield$48,276
49Dracut$48,147
50Lexington$48,115
51Stoughton$48,115
52Shrewsbury$48,053
53Franklin$47,924
54Attleboro$47,885
55Woburn$47,822
56Chelmsford$47,780
57Wellesley$47,753
58Leominster$47,710
59Andover$47,592

More Massachusetts Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new medical assistants.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.

Compare Cities in Massachusetts

View all comparisons →

Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical assistants make in Massachusetts in 2026?

The average median medical assistant salary in Massachusetts is $52,332/year across 59 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $47,592 in Andover to $53,262 in Boston. This makes Massachusetts one of the higher-paying states, at 9.11% above the national median of $47,961. The state employs approximately 15,317 medical assistants.

What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Massachusetts?

Boston offers the highest medical assistant salary in Massachusetts at $53,262/year ($25.60/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Boston ($53,262), Newton ($52,834), Barnstable Town ($52,380). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for medical assisting services, and competition among employers for licensed medical assistants.

How does Massachusetts medical assistant pay compare to the national average?

Massachusetts's average medical assistant salary of $52,332 is 9.11% above the national median of $47,961 in 2026. The state employs approximately 15,317 medical assistants across 59 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Massachusetts?

Entry-level medical assistants (10th percentile) in Massachusetts earn approximately $46,619/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $37,298 in lower-paying areas to $48,360 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many medical assistants are employed in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts employs approximately 15,317 medical assistants across 59 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Massachusetts one of the larger employers of medical assistants nationally. Demand continues to grow as the medical assisting field expands and the population ages.

Which Massachusetts city offers the best value for medical assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Barnstable Town offers the highest purchasing power for medical assistants in Massachusetts, with an adjusted salary of $53,258 (nominal: $52,380, CoL index: 98.351). This means your dollar goes 2% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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

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