Medical Assistant Salary in State College, PA: $44,843 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in State College, PA earns a median $44,843/year (≈ $21.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $46,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for medical assistants in State College, Pennsylvania, is set at $44,843 annually, reflecting a local job market that is influenced by the demand for bilingual professionals, which can shift compensation structures in diverse environments. The salary spectrum ranges from $37,485 for the lowest tenth percentile to $48,559 for the top percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This data indicates that while the pay in State College is competitive, it falls short of the national median of $47,961, hinting at localized factors such as the prevalence of primary care settings and the overall cost of living. As State College continues to grow, the medical assistant role remains pivotal, aligning with the healthcare sector's robust expansion.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,485 | $18.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,497 | $19.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,843 | $21.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,145 | $22.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,559 | $23.35 |
Median Salary Position
6.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,074 (2026 est.). At $44,843, the local median is 6.5% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be above the median
How State College Medical Assistant Pay Compares
State College median: $44,843/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $45,342 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -6.50% less |
Medical Assistants in State College, PA earn a median of $44,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.50% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,342.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $44,843 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,970
2025 BLS Actual
$42,720
2026 Current Est.
$44,843
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,843 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 33.6% from $31,970 (2019) to $42,720 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,102 (47.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $37,485 – $40,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,497 – $44,843 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,843 – $46,145 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,145 – $48,559 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in State College
In State College, approximately 180 medical assistants are currently employed, showcasing a stable job market in this sector. The cost of living index at 96.762 indicates that residents enjoy a lower living expense compared to the national average, potentially enhancing the take-home pay of medical assistants. Employment opportunities tend to be concentrated in primary care physician offices and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress, with specialty practices such as cardiology and dermatology often offering the highest wages due to their specialized nature. Factors contributing to the wider salary range include the bilingual premium for languages like Spanish and Mandarin, specialty certifications like phlebotomy, and varying practice settings that can command higher pay for specialized skills. To maximize earnings in the State College area, candidates should consider pursuing additional certifications, like those from AAMA or NCCT, and target roles in high-paying specialty practices or urgent care facilities that reward versatility and expertise.
More salary data for State College, 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 $42,720 for medical assistantsin the State College 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