Medical Assistant Salary in Ohio: $45,416 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $45,416/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,073 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cincinnati ($44,340), Columbus ($44,140), Toledo ($44,120).

Medical Assistant Salary in Ohio - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Ohio medical assistant salary overview (2026)

$45,416

Avg Median Salary

$21.83

Avg Hourly Rate

25,507

Metro Employed

Cities

In Ohio, the average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is projected to be $45,415, which is approximately 5.3% lower than the national median of $47,961. The highest-paying city for medical assistants is Cincinnati, with a projected salary of $46,544, while Youngstown presents the lowest at $38,681. This significant salary gap of $7,863 can be attributed to variations in the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of medical facilities in these areas. Ohio has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect the duties and thus compensation of medical assistants. The demand for healthcare professionals, including medical assistants, is bolstered by an aging population and ongoing expansions in healthcare services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.97%. As of 2026, there will be approximately 25,507 medical assistants employed across the state. Besides Cincinnati, other cities with higher projected salaries include Columbus at $46,334, Toledo at $46,313, Cleveland at $46,008, and Beavercreek at $45,849. These figures indicate a strong job market outlook for medical assistants in Ohio, reinforced by a growing need for quality healthcare services.

Ohio Medical Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$38,172

avg across 67 cities

Median

$45,416

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$52,836

avg across 67 cities

Overall salary range in Ohio: $30,244 (lowest entry-level) to $60,905 (highest top earner)

Ohio vs National Average

Ohio

$45,416

National Median

$47,961

Ohio medical assistants earn 5.31% less than the national median ($-2,545/year difference).

Ohio Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)

Medical Assistant salaries in Ohio range from $38,172 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,836 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,416. The Ohio median is $2,545 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $21.83/hr. Approximately 25,507 medical assistants are employed across 67 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$33,390

2025 BLS Actual

$43,265

2026 Current Est.

$45,416

2019–2027 Growth

+42.8%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Ohio (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$33,390	Actual
2020	$34,515	Actual
2021	$36,499	Actual
2022	$37,046	Actual
2023	$38,625	Actual
2024	$42,234	Actual
2025	$43,265	Actual
2026(current)	$45,416	Estimated
2027	$47,673	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.6% from $33,390 (2019) to $43,265 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,283 (42.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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 Ohio

Cincinnati

5,560 employed · $22.38/hr

$46,544

+2.48% vs avg

Columbus

5,850 employed · $22.27/hr

$46,334

+2.02% vs avg

Toledo

1,620 employed · $22.26/hr

$46,313

+1.98% vs avg

Cleveland

5,180 employed · $22.12/hr

$46,008

+1.30% vs avg

Beavercreek

8 employed · $22.04/hr

$45,849

+0.95% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Youngstown	$38,681	-14.83%	$18.59
Warren	$38,776	-14.62%	$18.64
Massillon	$39,534	-12.95%	$19.01
Springfield	$39,731	-12.52%	$19.10
Canton	$40,078	-11.75%	$19.27

Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Ohio

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Lima	$45,693	89.669	$50,957
Toledo	$46,313	91.455	$50,640
Beavercreek	$45,849	90.7	$50,550
Lorain	$45,815	90.7	$50,513
Parma	$45,689	90.7	$50,374

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Ohio

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$38,172	$18.35	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$45,416	$21.83	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$52,836	$25.40	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 67 Cities in Ohio

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Cincinnati	$46,544	$22.38	$37,810	$52,286	5,560
2	Columbus	$46,334	$22.27	$39,689	$52,433	5,850
3	Toledo	$46,313	$22.26	$38,618	$48,633	1,620
4	Cleveland	$46,008	$22.12	$38,954	$57,566	5,180
5	Beavercreek	$45,849	$22.04	$37,903	$59,058	8
6	Lorain	$45,815	$22.02	$34,639	$57,922	12
7	Dayton	$45,777	$22.01	$37,621	$56,148	1,890
8	Lima	$45,693	$21.97	$37,264	$48,780	420
9	Parma	$45,689	$21.97	$35,719	$57,507	12
10	Cuyahoga Falls	$45,502	$21.88	$35,084	$57,010	11
11	Hamilton	$45,345	$21.80	$34,846	$60,905	11
12	Kettering	$45,160	$21.71	$36,445	$60,259	10
13	Lakewood	$45,097	$21.68	$34,304	$60,196	11
14	Bowling Green	$45,037	$21.66	$36,756	$55,636	7
15	Lancaster	$45,024	$21.64	$36,721	$57,185	7
16	Zanesville	$45,020	$21.64	$36,711	$55,580	5
17	Akron	$44,959	$21.61	$38,933	$50,018	1,880
18	Westlake	$44,942	$21.60	$36,518	$55,330	5
19	Middletown	$44,925	$21.60	$36,475	$56,864	9
20	Grove City	$44,795	$21.54	$36,151	$54,856	7
21	Delaware	$44,759	$21.52	$36,062	$54,633	7
22	Gahanna	$44,752	$21.52	$36,045	$54,721	9
23	Westerville	$44,725	$21.50	$35,975	$54,632	8
24	Huber Heights	$44,619	$21.46	$35,525	$54,295	11
25	North Ridgeville	$44,584	$21.43	$35,627	$54,183	8
26	North Royalton	$44,520	$21.40	$35,283	$53,981	7
27	North Olmsted	$44,362	$21.33	$35,081	$57,784	8
28	Reynoldsburg	$44,285	$21.29	$34,704	$57,531	8
29	Strongsville	$44,137	$21.21	$34,343	$57,051	8
30	Brunswick	$43,863	$21.09	$37,435	$56,030	6
31	Wooster	$43,863	$21.09	$37,297	$56,166	6
32	Elyria	$43,795	$21.06	$34,782	$55,914	14
33	Shaker Heights	$43,705	$21.01	$37,044	$55,546	7
34	Medina	$43,676	$20.99	$37,017	$55,568	6
35	Dublin	$43,535	$20.93	$36,667	$55,119	9
36	Fairfield	$43,532	$20.93	$36,614	$56,540	9
37	Mentor	$43,486	$20.91	$36,500	$56,392	9
38	Mason	$43,296	$20.82	$35,894	$54,359	7
39	Avon	$43,242	$20.79	$35,722	$52,482	6
40	Marion	$43,176	$20.75	$35,738	$53,846	7
41	Stow	$43,173	$20.75	$35,593	$53,969	9
42	Newark	$43,149	$20.74	$35,716	$53,893	10
43	Findlay	$43,103	$20.72	$35,604	$53,748	8
44	Green	$43,036	$20.69	$35,258	$55,060	4
45	Barberton	$43,036	$20.69	$35,440	$53,537	6
46	Austintown	$43,019	$20.68	$35,216	$53,483	7
47	Cleveland Heights	$43,011	$20.68	$35,380	$53,460	9
48	Upper Arlington	$42,955	$20.65	$35,197	$53,177	9
49	Xenia	$42,955	$20.65	$35,244	$53,177	7
50	Hilliard	$42,902	$20.63	$34,934	$53,118	9
51	Oxford	$42,768	$20.56	$34,474	$53,462	6
52	Chillicothe	$42,677	$20.52	$34,105	$53,278	6
53	Perrysburg	$42,519	$20.44	$37,470	$52,684	6
54	Trotwood	$42,506	$20.44	$37,434	$52,642	6
55	Sandusky	$42,261	$20.32	$37,527	$59,696	210
56	Athens	$42,056	$20.22	$35,023	$51,352	5
57	Tiffin	$41,821	$20.10	$35,733	$50,530	6
58	Wadsworth	$41,786	$20.09	$35,464	$50,526	6
59	Avon Lake	$41,756	$20.07	$35,524	$50,332	5
60	Centerville	$41,664	$20.03	$35,156	$50,153	6
61	Solon	$41,657	$20.03	$35,320	$51,460	6
62	Mansfield	$40,099	$19.28	$33,265	$48,297	290
63	Canton	$40,078	$19.27	$36,991	$47,803	880
64	Springfield	$39,731	$19.10	$34,934	$49,136	250
65	Massillon	$39,534	$19.01	$33,052	$51,065	7
66	Warren	$38,776	$18.64	$30,244	$49,917	9
67	Youngstown	$38,681	$18.59	$31,386	$45,945	1,050

More Ohio Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Ohio cities.

Cincinnati →Columbus →Toledo →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new medical assistants.

Cincinnati →Columbus →Toledo →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.

Cincinnati →Columbus →Toledo →

Compare Cities in Ohio

Columbus, OHvsCincinnati, OH Columbus, OHvsCleveland, OH Cincinnati, OHvsCleveland, OH Columbus, OHvsDayton, OH Columbus, OHvsAkron, OH

View all comparisons →

Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical assistants make in Ohio in 2026?

The average median medical assistant salary in Ohio is $45,416/year across 67 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $38,681 in Youngstown to $46,544 in Cincinnati. This makes Ohio 5.31% below the national median of $47,961. The state employs approximately 25,507 medical assistants.

What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Ohio?

Cincinnati offers the highest medical assistant salary in Ohio at $46,544/year ($22.38/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Cincinnati ($46,544), Columbus ($46,334), Toledo ($46,313). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for medical assisting services, and competition among employers for licensed medical assistants.

How does Ohio medical assistant pay compare to the national average?

Ohio's average medical assistant salary of $45,416 is 5.31% below the national median of $47,961 in 2026. The state employs approximately 25,507 medical assistants across 67 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Ohio?

Entry-level medical assistants (10th percentile) in Ohio earn approximately $38,172/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $30,244 in lower-paying areas to $39,689 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many medical assistants are employed in Ohio?

Ohio employs approximately 25,507 medical assistants across 67 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Ohio one of the larger employers of medical assistants nationally. Demand continues to grow as the medical assisting field expands and the population ages.

Which Ohio city offers the best value for medical assistants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Lima offers the highest purchasing power for medical assistants in Ohio, with an adjusted salary of $50,957 (nominal: $45,693, CoL index: 89.669). This means your dollar goes 12% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

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 Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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