Medical Assistant Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $48,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $48,171/year (≈ $23.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $46,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those working as medical assistants in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can expect a median annual salary of $48,171, positioning the city slightly above the national median of $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants here can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $40,204, while experienced professionals at the top end can earn up to $56,054. These figures are drawn from credible BLS OEWS surveys and reflect the dynamic healthcare landscape in Philadelphia. The salary gradient is particularly pronounced between primary care settings and specialty practices, such as dermatology and plastic surgery, which command higher wages, often resulting in a compensation variance of 20% to 40%. This trend highlights the importance of choosing the right work environment to maximize earning potential in the medical assisting field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,204 | $19.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,699 | $21.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,171 | $23.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,113 | $24.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,054 | $26.95 |
Median Salary Position
0.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,850 (2026 est.). At $48,171, the local median is 0.44% above the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be above the median
How Philadelphia Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $48,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $45,359 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +0.44% more |
Medical Assistants in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $48,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.44% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 6.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $45,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,171 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,971 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,200
2025 BLS Actual
$45,890
2026 Current Est.
$48,171
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.4% from $35,200 (2019) to $45,890 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,365 (43.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $40,204 – $43,699 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,699 – $48,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,171 – $50,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,113 – $56,054 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Philadelphia
Focusing on the local job market, Philadelphia employs over 13,150 medical assistants, showing a robust demand for skilled professionals in healthcare. The cost of living index for the area is slightly elevated at 102.554, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power might be affected by higher living expenses. Specialty practices, such as cardiology and orthopedics, tend to offer the most substantial medical assistant pay in Philadelphia, often providing opportunities for higher wages through certifications and specialization. Additionally, candidates fluent in languages like Spanish or Mandarin may find that bilingual skills can further enhance their salary potential. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications—such as phlebotomy or EKG—can help increase a medical assistant’s value in the job market, while considerations like geographic location and practice specialty should guide career decisions.
More salary data for Philadelphia, 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 $45,890 for medical assistantsin the Philadelphia 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