Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania: $46,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $46,800/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,049 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bethlehem ($46,506), Philadelphia ($45,890), Reading ($45,610).
The projected average median salary for medical assistants in Pennsylvania in 2026 is $46,800, which is 2.4% lower than the national median of $47,961. The salary range within the state varies significantly, with the highest paying city, Bethlehem, offering $48,817, while Johnstown presents the lowest salary at $40,308. This salary disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas versus rural locations. In Pennsylvania, medical assistants must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can impact salary and job responsibilities. The expected annual growth rate for this profession is 4.97%, indicating a steady demand for medical assistants driven by the expansion of healthcare services and an aging population. With a total of 25,880 medical assistants employed across 25 metro areas, cities like Philadelphia ($48,171), Reading ($47,877), and Allentown ($47,656) also show solid salary averages, reflecting the local demand and healthcare infrastructure. Overall, the job market for medical assistants in Pennsylvania is projected to remain strong, with promising growth opportunities in the coming years.
Pennsylvania Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $33,923 (lowest entry-level) to $62,171 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania medical assistants earn 2.42% less than the national median ($-1,161/year difference).
Pennsylvania Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Pennsylvania range from $38,908 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $53,294 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,800. The Pennsylvania median is $1,161 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $22.50/hr. Approximately 25,880 medical assistants are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,768
2025 BLS Actual
$44,584
2026 Current Est.
$46,800
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,768 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,685 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,417 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,386 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 32.0% from $33,768 (2019) to $44,584 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,358 (45.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnstown | $40,308 |
| Altoona | $41,085 |
| Erie | $41,610 |
| West Chester | $42,449 |
| Williamsport | $42,544 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $48,817 | 97.4 | $50,120 |
| Reading | $47,877 | 97.06 | $49,327 |
| Lebanon | $45,651 | 93.214 | $48,974 |
| Chambersburg | $46,008 | 94.642 | $48,613 |
| Easton | $46,839 | 97.4 | $48,089 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,908 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,800 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $53,294 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | $48,817 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $48,171 |
| 3 | Reading | $47,877 |
| 4 | Allentown | $47,656 |
| 5 | Easton | $46,839 |
| 6 | Chambersburg | $46,008 |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $45,998 |
| 8 | York | $45,788 |
| 9 | Lebanon | $45,651 |
| 10 | Gettysburg | $45,641 |
| 11 | Lancaster | $45,043 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh | $44,969 |
| 13 | Scranton | $44,885 |
| 14 | State College | $44,843 |
| 15 | Wilkes-Barre | $44,621 |
| 16 | Hazleton | $44,001 |
| 17 | Norristown | $43,916 |
| 18 | Chester | $43,814 |
| 19 | New Castle | $43,380 |
| 20 | Pottstown | $42,763 |
| 21 | Williamsport | $42,544 |
| 22 | West Chester | $42,449 |
| 23 | Erie | $41,610 |
| 24 | Altoona | $41,085 |
| 25 | Johnstown | $40,308 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania?
How many medical assistants are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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