Medical Assistant Salary in New Jersey: $49,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $49,703/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,145 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: East Orange ($53,361), Franklin ($53,361), Woodbridge ($53,346).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in New Jersey is projected to be $49,702, slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a difference of 3.6%. The highest-paying city in the state is East Orange, where medical assistants can earn approximately $56,013, while Camden offers the lowest salary at $47,020, indicating a salary gap of $8,993. This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including local demand for healthcare services, cost of living differences, and specific employer needs in metropolitan areas. New Jersey has defined state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the roles of medical assistants, impacting both their responsibilities and, consequently, their earning potential. The demand for medical assistants is expected to grow, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.97% as estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total number of employed medical assistants in New Jersey is estimated at 2,733, highlighting a stable job market. Other projected high-paying cities include Franklin at $56,013, Woodbridge at $55,997, Parsippany-Troy Hills at $55,918, and Union at $55,777. These figures suggest a healthy outlook for those entering the field or seeking advancement in their medical assisting careers.
New Jersey Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $36,564 (lowest entry-level) to $76,068 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey medical assistants earn 3.63% more than the national median (+$1,742/year difference).
New Jersey Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in New Jersey range from $39,277 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,836 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,703. The New Jersey median is $1,742 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.90/hr. Approximately 2,733 medical assistants are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,473
2025 BLS Actual
$47,349
2026 Current Est.
$49,703
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,041 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,161 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 33.5% from $35,473 (2019) to $47,349 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,700 (47.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Camden | $47,020 |
| Vineland | $47,614 |
| Atlantic City | $47,814 |
| Trenton | $48,234 |
| Princeton | $49,192 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland | $47,614 | 95.968 | $49,614 |
| East Orange | $56,013 | 115.2 | $48,622 |
| Franklin | $56,013 | 115.2 | $48,622 |
| Woodbridge | $55,997 | 115.2 | $48,609 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills | $55,918 | 115.2 | $48,540 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,277 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,703 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $59,836 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
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How many medical assistants are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey 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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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