Medical Assistant Salary in Piscataway, NJ: $54,941 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Piscataway, NJ earns a median $54,941/year (≈ $26.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Piscataway's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $47,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Piscataway, NJ, opportunities for medical assistants are promising, with projected earnings in 2026 reflecting a robust job market. The median annual salary is expected to reach $54,941, which is significantly higher than the national average of $47,961, representing a 14.55% premium for local professionals. Salaries for medical assistants in the area range from $41,742 at the 10th percentile to $73,275 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse landscape in compensation. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, indicate a notable pay gradient between primary care positions and specialty practices like dermatology and orthopedics, which typically offer higher compensation.
About the Piscataway Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,742 | $20.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,643 | $21.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,941 | $26.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,554 | $29.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,275 | $35.23 |
Median Salary Position
14.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Piscataway
In Piscataway, NJ, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,533 (2026 est.). At $54,941, the local median is 14.55% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Piscataway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Piscataway Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Piscataway median: $54,941/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Piscataway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $55,273 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +14.55% more |
Medical Assistants in Piscataway, NJ earn a median of $54,941 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.55% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 0.60% below the New Jersey state average of $55,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Piscataway has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Piscataway, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,941 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,692 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,865
2025 BLS Actual
$52,340
2026 Current Est.
$54,941
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Piscataway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,865 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,603 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,113 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,404 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,941 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,672 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Piscataway metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $39,865 (2019) to $52,340 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,807 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Piscataway 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) | $41,742 – $44,643 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,643 – $54,941 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,941 – $60,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,554 – $73,275 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Piscataway
With only 14 medical assistants employed locally, Piscataway’s job market is relatively tight, but the cost of living index of 115.2 suggests that take-home pay may not stretch as far as expected. Employers that historically offer better pay include specialty practices in cardiology and orthopedics and urgent care chains such as CityMD and MedExpress. The variation in medical assistant pay in Piscataway can stem from several factors: those working in specialized settings often earn more due to the higher skill requirements, while bilingual professionals may command a premium due to market demand. Certifications, such as phlebotomy and EKG, could also boost earning potential. To maximize earnings, aspiring medical assistants should consider pursuing additional credentials and seeking positions in higher-paying specialty fields or urgent care facilities.
More salary data for Piscataway, 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 $52,340 for medical assistantsin the Piscataway 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 Piscataway 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