Medical Assistant Salary in Buffalo, NY: $46,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Buffalo, NY earns a median $46,869/year (≈ $22.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $48,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, the 2026 median annual salary for medical assistants is projected to be $46,869, which reflects a slight decrease of 2.28% compared to the national median of $47,961. For those considering advancement in their healthcare careers, the MA-to-LPN/RN bridge could provide significant long-term benefits, enhancing earning potential and job security over time. The salary range for this role in Buffalo varies from as low as $37,180 at the 10th percentile to $58,531 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience and specialization. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, shedding light on the local compensation dynamics in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,329 | $19.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,869 | $22.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,362 | $24.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,531 | $28.14 |
Median Salary Position
2.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,351 (2026 est.). At $46,869, the local median is 2.28% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $46,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $46,451 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.28% less |
Medical Assistants in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $46,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.90% above the New York state average of $46,451.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,869 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,901 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,150
2025 BLS Actual
$44,650
2026 Current Est.
$46,869
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,198 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.7% from $34,150 (2019) to $44,650 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,198 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,048 (44.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $37,180 – $40,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,329 – $46,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,869 – $51,362 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,362 – $58,531 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Buffalo
Among the 2,310 medical assistants employed in Buffalo, the cost of living index at 95.844 suggests that salaries typically align with local purchasing power. In this context, employers such as urgent care chains like CityMD and specialty practices—particularly in dermatology and orthopedics—often offer higher pay compared to primary care facilities. The disparity in compensation can be attributed to various factors, including specialized skills, language proficiency, and certifications like phlebotomy or EKG training. For those in the field looking to maximize their income, targeting employment in higher-paying specialties and obtaining additional certifications can significantly impact earning potential in Buffalo, NY.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $44,650 for medical assistantsin the Buffalo 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
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