Medical Assistant Salary in Altoona, PA: $41,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Altoona, PA earns a median $41,085/year (≈ $19.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $45,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $41,085, reflecting a notable gap compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role spans from $36,834 at the 10th percentile to $47,604 at the 90th percentile, indicating a solid earning potential for those in higher-paying positions. These figures are drawn from the latest official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the competitive nature of medical assistant pay in the region. Notably, specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, often provide a significant pay premium over primary care roles, making them appealing options for those entering the field or looking to maximize their earnings in Altoona’s healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,834 | $17.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,259 | $18.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,085 | $19.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,085 | $21.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,604 | $22.89 |
Median Salary Position
14.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,770 (2026 est.). At $41,085, the local median is 14.34% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Altoona median: $41,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $45,348 | -9.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -14.34% less |
Medical Assistants in Altoona, PA earn a median of $41,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.34% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 9.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $41,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,901 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,670
2025 BLS Actual
$39,140
2026 Current Est.
$41,085
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.9% from $29,670 (2019) to $39,140 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,457 (45.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $36,834 – $39,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,259 – $41,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,085 – $45,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,085 – $47,604 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Altoona
In analyzing the local job market, approximately 270 medical assistants are currently employed in Altoona, PA. With a cost of living index of 89.507, workers may find that their salaries stretch further than in other parts of the country, but shifts in demand and supply can still affect overall pay. Employers in specialty practices generally offer higher wages compared to primary care offices or urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress. Factors influencing pay include specialty expertise, bilingual skills, and various certifications. To enhance earning potential, aspiring medical assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications, such as phlebotomy or EKG training, as well as seeking roles in specialty clinics. With a projected growth rate of 4.97% in this sector, there are ample opportunities for advancement and increased pay within Altoona’s healthcare environment.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $39,140 for medical assistantsin the Altoona 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