Medical Assistant Salary in East Orange, NJ: $56,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in East Orange, NJ earns a median $56,013/year (≈ $26.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in East Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $48,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $56,013 for medical assistants in East Orange, NJ, professionals in this field enjoy compensation that surpasses the national median by approximately 16.79%. The salary range for medical assistants in the area spans from $44,313 at the lower end to $71,299 at the higher end, highlighting the potential for growth and advancement in this role. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, emphasize the value of pursuing certification and possible career transitions, such as the MA-to-LPN/RN bridge, which can further enhance earning potential. East Orange's growing healthcare sector provides ample opportunities, suggesting that demand for well-trained medical assistants will remain strong into 2026 and beyond.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,313 | $21.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,605 | $21.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,013 | $26.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,692 | $28.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,299 | $34.28 |
Median Salary Position
16.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Orange
In East Orange, NJ, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,986 (2026 est.). At $56,013, the local median is 16.79% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Orange Medical Assistant Pay Compares
East Orange median: $56,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $55,240 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +16.79% more |
Medical Assistants in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $56,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $55,240.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,013 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,622 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,643
2025 BLS Actual
$53,361
2026 Current Est.
$56,013
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,869 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,434 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,695 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,051 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,387 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,797 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Orange metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $40,643 (2019) to $53,361 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,797 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,154 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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) | $44,313 – $45,605 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,605 – $56,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,013 – $59,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,692 – $71,299 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in East Orange
In East Orange, the job market for medical assistants remains vibrant, albeit with only nine individuals currently employed in this capacity. The area's cost-of-living index of 115.2 indicates that, while salaries are competitive, the local cost of living is higher than the national average, impacting take-home pay. Employers such as urgent care chains and specialty practices, including dermatology and orthopedics, tend to offer more attractive compensation packages. The disparity in pay among medical assistants can be influenced by various factors including specialty focus, bilingual skills, and additional certifications in areas like phlebotomy and EKG. To maximize earnings in this community, it's advisable for medical assistants to pursue further certifications, gain experience in specialized fields, and consider roles in high-demand sectors such as urgent care or corporate occupational health clinics, where salary premiums can be significant.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
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 $53,361 for medical assistantsin the East Orange 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
Salary data for East Orange is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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