Medical Assistant Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $48,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Pawtucket, RI earns a median $48,148/year (≈ $23.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Pawtucket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $47,908 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Pawtucket can expect a median annual salary of $48,148, which is slightly above the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this position stretches from $36,933 at the lower end to $64,653 for the top earners. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. Given Pawtucket's diverse population, bilingual medical assistants, particularly those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, may command a premium on their earnings, reflecting the demand for such skills within the community. This oversupply enhances the region's competitive job market, particularly in healthcare settings that require effective communication with a diverse patient base.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,933 | $17.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,386 | $18.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,148 | $23.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,495 | $24.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,653 | $31.08 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pawtucket
In Pawtucket, RI, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,720 (2026 est.). At $48,148, the local median is 0.39% above the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Pawtucket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pawtucket Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Pawtucket median: $48,148/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pawtucket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $48,196 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +0.39% more |
Medical Assistants in Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $48,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $48,196.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pawtucket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pawtucket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,148 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,908 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,936
2025 BLS Actual
$45,868
2026 Current Est.
$48,148
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,936 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pawtucket metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $34,936 (2019) to $45,868 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,605 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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) | $36,933 – $39,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,386 – $48,148 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,148 – $51,495 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,495 – $64,653 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Pawtucket
Despite the median salary appearing competitive, the local job market for medical assistants in Pawtucket consists of only 16 employed individuals. The overall cost of living in the area is relatively moderate, with a cost-of-living index of 100.5, suggesting that take-home pay may not go as far compared to cities with lower expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include specialty practices like dermatology and orthopedics, urgent care chains, and major hospital outpatient clinics. The notable pay disparity within the field can be attributed to factors such as the specialization of practice, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG training. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Pawtucket, pursuing further certifications and focusing on obtaining positions within higher-paying specialties can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
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 $45,868 for medical assistantsin the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket 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