Medical Assistant Salary in Rochester, NY: $43,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Rochester, NY earns a median $43,783/year (≈ $21.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $45,121 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Rochester, NY can expect a median salary of $43,783, which positions them below the national average of $47,961. The projected salary range shows lower earners at approximately $40,036, while those at the high end can earn up to $50,396. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a diverse job market where bilingual medical assistants, particularly those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, may have enhanced earning potential. Such skills are increasingly valued, especially in urban settings like Rochester, enhancing compensation opportunities in this competitive field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,036 | $19.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,211 | $19.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,783 | $21.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,612 | $23.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,396 | $24.23 |
Median Salary Position
8.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,360 (2026 est.). At $43,783, the local median is 8.71% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $43,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $46,429 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -8.71% less |
Medical Assistants in Rochester, NY earn a median of $43,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.71% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 5.70% below the New York state average of $46,429.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $43,783 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,121 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,810
2025 BLS Actual
$41,710
2026 Current Est.
$43,783
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 27.1% from $32,810 (2019) to $41,710 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,149 (40.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $40,036 – $41,211 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,211 – $43,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,783 – $48,612 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,612 – $50,396 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Rochester
The local job market for medical assistants shows robust growth, with around 1,890 positions currently occupied within the area. The Cost of Living Index for Rochester, measured at 97.035, suggests relatively affordable living conditions, which can positively affect take-home pay. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include specialty practices such as cardiology and dermatology, urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress, as well as hospital outpatient clinics. The variability in pay can be attributed to factors like specialty focus, bilingual skills, advanced certifications, and potential lead roles. To maximize earning potential in Rochester’s medical community, pursuing additional certifications recognized by AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT can lead to higher pay and advancement opportunities, especially in higher-paying specialties.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Rochester, NY in 2026?
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Can medical assistants make $100K in Rochester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Rochester?
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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 $41,710 for medical assistantsin the Rochester 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