Medical Assistant Salary in Rhode Island: $49,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $49,291/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,046 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($47,974), Providence ($47,020), Pawtucket ($45,868).
In 2026, medical assistants in Rhode Island are projected to earn an average median salary of $49,291, which is 2.8% higher than the national median of $47,961. The salary range across various cities showcases significant disparities, with Warwick leading at $50,358 and Central Falls at the lower end with $44,473, resulting in a gap of $5,885. This difference may be attributed to varying cost of living, local demand for health services, and the density of healthcare facilities. Rhode Island has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence job roles and responsibilities for medical assistants. These regulations can impact salaries as well since areas with higher requirements may command higher pay. The state also exhibits a healthy demand for medical assistance, contributing to an anticipated annual growth rate of 4.97% in employment, according to 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Cities such as Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, and West Warwick show promising salaries as well, with projections of $49,357, $48,148, $47,777, and $47,650, respectively. As the healthcare field continues to expand, the outlook for medical assistants in Rhode Island remains positive, with a stable job market that reflects growing opportunities in the industry.
Rhode Island Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $36,933 (lowest entry-level) to $65,559 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island medical assistants earn 2.77% more than the national median (+$1,330/year difference).
Rhode Island Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Rhode Island range from $41,146 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,229 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,291. The Rhode Island median is $1,330 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.70/hr. Approximately 4,249 medical assistants are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,760
2025 BLS Actual
$46,957
2026 Current Est.
$49,291
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,957 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,741 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 27.7% from $36,760 (2019) to $46,957 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,981 (40.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $44,473 |
| Westerly | $45,012 |
| Bristol | $45,629 |
| South Kingstown | $45,753 |
| Cumberland | $45,873 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $50,358 | 100.5 | $50,107 |
| Providence | $49,357 | 101.773 | $48,497 |
| Pawtucket | $48,148 | 100.5 | $47,908 |
| East Providence | $47,777 | 100.5 | $47,539 |
| West Warwick | $47,650 | 100.5 | $47,413 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,146 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,291 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $59,229 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $50,358 |
| 2 | Providence | $49,357 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $48,148 |
| 4 | East Providence | $47,777 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $47,650 |
| 6 | Coventry | $47,425 |
| 7 | Cranston | $47,147 |
| 8 | Johnston | $46,610 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $46,591 |
| 10 | Newport | $46,337 |
| 11 | North Providence | $46,243 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $46,229 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $45,873 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $45,753 |
| 15 | Bristol | $45,629 |
| 16 | Westerly | $45,012 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $44,473 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Rhode Island?
How many medical assistants are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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