Medical Assistant Salary in Providence, RI: $49,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Providence, RI earns a median $49,357/year (≈ $23.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $48,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical assistants in Providence, Rhode Island, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,357 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $47,961. This wage range varies significantly, with salaries starting at $41,232 for entry-level positions (P10) and reaching as high as $59,193 for those at the top of the scale (P90). Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these figures illustrate how a diverse market influences medical assistant pay in Providence. Notably, bilingual medical assistants may command higher salaries due to increased demand for language skills in healthcare settings, a trend that enhances overall compensation in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,232 | $19.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,069 | $22.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,357 | $23.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,047 | $24.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,193 | $28.46 |
Median Salary Position
2.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,961 (2026 est.). At $49,357, the local median is 2.91% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Providence median: $49,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $48,200 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +2.91% more |
Medical Assistants in Providence, RI earn a median of $49,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 2.40% above the Rhode Island state average of $48,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,357 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,497 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,760
2025 BLS Actual
$47,020
2026 Current Est.
$49,357
2019–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Providence (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 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,810 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 27.9% from $36,760 (2019) to $47,020 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,810 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,050 (40.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $41,232 – $47,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,069 – $49,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,357 – $51,047 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,047 – $59,193 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Providence
The job market in Providence is robust, with approximately 4,120 medical assistants currently employed in various healthcare environments. The cost of living index stands at 101.773, which suggests an above-average living expense, impacting the take-home purchasing power of workers in the area. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include specialty practices such as dermatology, orthopedics, and hospital outpatient clinics, while urgent care chains and corporate occupational health clinics provide competitive rates as well. Factors that contribute to the variance in compensation include specialization, bilingual skills, lead roles, and additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG training. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Providence, enhancing qualifications through organizations such as AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT and pursuing roles in higher-paying specialties can significantly improve overall medical assistant pay in Providence, RI.
More salary data for Providence, 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 $47,020 for medical assistantsin the Providence 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