Medical Assistant Salary in New York: $49,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $49,999/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,140 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ithaca ($53,760), New York ($48,370), Glens Falls ($47,860).
In New York, the average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is projected at $49,999, which is 4.2% higher than the national median of $47,961. This salary varies significantly across the state, with Ithaca offering the highest average at $56,432, while Watertown has the lowest at $41,054, creating a salary gap of $15,378. The difference in pay among cities can be attributed to local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. New York’s specific factors, such as state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, also influence salaries and job responsibilities. The demand for medical assistants in the state is driven by the expanding healthcare sector, increased patient populations, and a growing emphasis on preventive care services. Employment data shows that there are currently 53,740 medical assistants in New York, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.97%. Top cities for employment include New York City with $50,774, Glens Falls at $50,239, Poughkeepsie at $48,444, and Troy at $48,032. Overall, the outlook for medical assistants in New York remains favorable, spurred by a consistent growth trajectory within the healthcare industry.
New York Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $33,842 (lowest entry-level) to $65,866 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York medical assistants earn 4.25% more than the national median (+$2,038/year difference).
New York Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in New York range from $39,113 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,354 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,999. The New York median is $2,038 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $24.04/hr. Approximately 53,740 medical assistants are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,335
2025 BLS Actual
$47,632
2026 Current Est.
$49,999
2019–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,335 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,407 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,629 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,277 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,484 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 27.6% from $37,335 (2019) to $47,632 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,484 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,149 (40.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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 York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Watertown | $41,054 |
| Elmira | $41,998 |
| Cortland | $42,770 |
| Plattsburgh | $42,899 |
| Binghamton | $43,153 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | $56,432 | 103.317 | $54,620 |
| Glens Falls | $50,239 | 94.866 | $52,958 |
| Utica | $46,208 | 92.678 | $49,859 |
| Buffalo | $46,869 | 95.844 | $48,901 |
| Syracuse | $46,449 | 95.742 | $48,515 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,113 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,999 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,354 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca | $56,432 |
| 2 | New York | $50,774 |
| 3 | Glens Falls | $50,239 |
| 4 | Poughkeepsie | $48,444 |
| 5 | Troy | $48,032 |
| 6 | Kiryas Joel | $47,709 |
| 7 | Yonkers | $47,646 |
| 8 | Albany | $47,100 |
| 9 | Buffalo | $46,869 |
| 10 | Newburgh | $46,673 |
| 11 | New Rochelle | $46,663 |
| 12 | Syracuse | $46,449 |
| 13 | Utica | $46,208 |
| 14 | Mount Vernon | $46,141 |
| 15 | Schenectady | $46,077 |
| 16 | Long Beach | $45,786 |
| 17 | Niagara Falls | $45,761 |
| 18 | Rome | $45,736 |
| 19 | Spring Valley | $45,270 |
| 20 | White Plains | $45,211 |
| 21 | Jamestown | $45,155 |
| 22 | Valley Stream | $45,083 |
| 23 | Middletown | $44,896 |
| 24 | Hempstead | $44,846 |
| 25 | Kingston | $44,738 |
| 26 | Saratoga Springs | $44,625 |
| 27 | North Tonawanda | $44,361 |
| 28 | Auburn | $44,145 |
| 29 | Freeport | $44,019 |
| 30 | Rochester | $43,783 |
| 31 | Oswego | $43,563 |
| 32 | Lackawanna | $43,472 |
| 33 | Amsterdam | $43,451 |
| 34 | Oneonta | $43,346 |
| 35 | Binghamton | $43,153 |
| 36 | Plattsburgh | $42,899 |
| 37 | Cortland | $42,770 |
| 38 | Elmira | $41,998 |
| 39 | Watertown | $41,054 |
More New York Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in New York?
How does New York medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in New York?
How many medical assistants are employed in New York?
Which New York 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 York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 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