Medical Assistant Salary in Columbus, OH: $46,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Columbus, OH earns a median $46,334/year (≈ $22.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $48,533 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical assistants in Columbus, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $46,334 in 2026, positioned below the national median of $47,961. The salary range extends from $39,689 at the 10th percentile to $52,433 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market where bilingual medical assistants may earn a premium. The numbers come from official data based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, projecting steady growth as the demand for medical support roles continues to rise, particularly in a city where a rich mix of healthcare services fosters competitive pay. Understanding the nuances of compensation can be pivotal for those entering the field, especially in a dynamic city like Columbus.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,689 | $19.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,151 | $19.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,334 | $22.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,864 | $23.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,433 | $25.20 |
Median Salary Position
3.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,744 (2026 est.). At $46,334, the local median is 3.39% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $46,334/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $45,336 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -3.39% less |
Medical Assistants in Columbus, OH earn a median of $46,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.20% above the Ohio state average of $45,336.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,334 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,533 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,900
2025 BLS Actual
$44,140
2026 Current Est.
$46,334
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.2% from $33,900 (2019) to $44,140 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,737 (43.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $39,689 – $40,151 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,151 – $46,334 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,334 – $48,864 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,864 – $52,433 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Columbus
The job market for medical assistants in Columbus is robust, with approximately 5,850 professionals employed across various healthcare settings. Given the cost of living index in the city is 95.469, those in this occupation enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. Employers offering the highest pay include specialty practices like cardiology and dermatology, as well as urgent care chains such as CityMD and MedExpress, where the demands for skilled staff can drive salaries upward. Factors influencing salary disparities range from the type of practice to additional certifications, such as phlebotomy or EKG expertise, and even reimbursement for bilingual capabilities. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications recognized by AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT and targeting urgent care facilities appear to be effective strategies in this competitive market.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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 $44,140 for medical assistantsin the Columbus 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