Medical Assistant Salary in Chester, PA: $43,814 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Chester, PA earns a median $43,814/year (≈ $21.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Chester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $44,984 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical assistants in Chester, Pennsylvania can anticipate a median annual salary of $43,814 in 2026, a figure that is approximately 8.65% below the national median of $47,961 for the same year. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $37,337 and more experienced individuals earning up to $53,282. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local market conditions and cost of living. As Chester’s healthcare landscape evolves, opportunities to bridge from medical assistant to LPN or RN may add both professional and financial incentives, strengthening the appeal of this career path amid a growing workforce.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,337 | $17.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,377 | $18.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,814 | $21.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,282 | $25.61 |
Median Salary Position
8.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chester
In Chester, PA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,945 (2026 est.). At $43,814, the local median is 8.65% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chester Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Chester median: $43,814/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $45,357 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -8.65% less |
Medical Assistants in Chester, PA earn a median of $43,814 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chester has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chester, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $43,814 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,984 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,791
2025 BLS Actual
$41,740
2026 Current Est.
$43,814
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,791 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,751 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,961 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,814 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chester metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $31,791 (2019) to $41,740 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,201 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chester 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) | $37,337 – $38,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,377 – $43,814 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,814 – $45,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,490 – $53,282 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Chester
In Chester, the job market for medical assistants is relatively small, with only five individuals currently employed in this profession. The cost of living, indexed at 97.4, suggests that the take-home pay for medical assistants provides a fairly balanced lifestyle, although it is slightly below the national average. Among local employers, primary care physician offices and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress often offer competitive pay, but specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics tend to provide higher compensation. Factors influencing pay disparities include the specialty field, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG training. Aspiring medical assistants aiming for higher salaries in Chester might benefit from pursuing certification through AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, while also considering shifts in urgent care settings that may offer differential pay.
More salary data for Chester, 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 $41,740 for medical assistantsin the Chester 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
Salary data for Chester is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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