Medical Assistant Salary in Jersey City, NJ: $51,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Jersey City, NJ earns a median $51,645/year (≈ $24.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Jersey City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $44,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Jersey City, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,645, outperforming the national median of $47,961 by 7.68%. The salary range varies significantly, from $38,169 at the lower 10th percentile to $68,280 at the 90th, reflecting the strong demand for skilled medical assistants. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, with adjustments for local cost of living. Notably, those working in specialty practices such as dermatology, plastics, and orthopedics typically earn 20% to 40% more compared to their counterparts in primary care settings, indicative of the value placed on specialized skills in the Jersey City job market.
About the Jersey City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,169 | $18.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,722 | $20.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,645 | $24.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,960 | $26.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,280 | $32.82 |
Median Salary Position
7.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jersey City
In Jersey City, NJ, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,111 (2026 est.). At $51,645, the local median is 7.68% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jersey City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jersey City Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Jersey City median: $51,645/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jersey City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $55,236 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +7.68% more |
Medical Assistants in Jersey City, NJ earn a median of $51,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.68% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 6.50% below the New Jersey state average of $55,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jersey City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jersey City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,645 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,831 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,473
2025 BLS Actual
$49,200
2026 Current Est.
$51,645
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Jersey City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,473 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,105 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,212 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jersey City metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $37,473 (2019) to $49,200 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,212 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,739 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jersey City 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) | $38,169 – $41,722 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,722 – $51,645 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,645 – $55,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,960 – $68,280 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Jersey City
Examining the local job market, Jersey City employs approximately 42 medical assistants, which highlights a growing field within this urban environment. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than national averages, they must meet the higher expenses associated with living in the area. Among potential employers, specialty practices and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress tend to offer superior medical assistant pay in Jersey City, due in part to the increased complexity of patient care they provide. Factors contributing to wage disparities include specialization, bilingual skills, and additional certifications, such as phlebotomy or EKG training. For those entering or advancing in this field, utilizing strategies like building a diverse certification portfolio and targeting positions in high-paying specialties can significantly enhance earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Jersey City, 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 $49,200 for medical assistantsin the Jersey City 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 Jersey City 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