Medical Assistant Salary in Wisconsin: $51,297 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $51,297/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $54,922 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($50,215), Kenosha ($49,620), Milwaukee ($49,590).
The projected average median salary for medical assistants in Wisconsin in 2026 is $51,297, which surpasses the national median of $47,961 by 7.0%. In Waukesha, the highest paying city for this profession, medical assistants can expect to earn around $52,711, while those in Wisconsin Rapids will see the lowest average at $46,419. This salary gap of $6,292 can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variation, and regional competition among employers. Wisconsin’s medical assistants must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact earning potential and job responsibilities. The ongoing demand for healthcare services, driven by an aging population and an emphasis on preventative care, supports continued growth in this field. The projected annual growth rate for medical assistants in the state is 4.97%, indicating a steady expansion of job opportunities. Key cities with strong salary projections include Kenosha at $52,086, Milwaukee at $52,055, Sheboygan at $52,023, and Racine at $51,939. As the healthcare landscape evolves, especially in metropolitan areas, the outlook for medical assistants in Wisconsin remains positive, with opportunities in diverse healthcare settings.
Wisconsin Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $37,985 (lowest entry-level) to $65,890 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin medical assistants earn 6.96% more than the national median (+$3,336/year difference).
Wisconsin Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Wisconsin range from $42,131 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,915 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,297. The Wisconsin median is $3,336 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $24.66/hr. Approximately 11,419 medical assistants are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,282
2025 BLS Actual
$48,868
2026 Current Est.
$51,297
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,282 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,556 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,995 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,011 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,297 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.1% from $37,282 (2019) to $48,868 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,564 (44.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $46,419 |
| Middleton | $46,807 |
| Platteville | $47,310 |
| Mequon | $47,313 |
| River Falls | $47,706 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $52,711 | 93.4 | $56,436 |
| Appleton | $51,782 | 92.419 | $56,030 |
| Mount Pleasant | $51,863 | 93.4 | $55,528 |
| Sheboygan | $52,023 | 94.014 | $55,335 |
| La Crosse | $50,344 | 91.769 | $54,859 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,131 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,297 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,915 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $52,711 |
| 2 | Kenosha | $52,086 |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $52,055 |
| 4 | Sheboygan | $52,023 |
| 5 | Racine | $51,939 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $51,863 |
| 7 | Appleton | $51,782 |
| 8 | Madison | $51,173 |
| 9 | Onalaska | $51,019 |
| 10 | West Allis | $50,668 |
| 11 | Oshkosh | $50,627 |
| 12 | Eau Claire | $50,554 |
| 13 | La Crosse | $50,344 |
| 14 | Fitchburg | $50,332 |
| 15 | Greenfield | $50,328 |
| 16 | Green Bay | $50,291 |
| 17 | Wausau | $50,249 |
| 18 | Fond du Lac | $50,239 |
| 19 | Menomonee Falls | $49,892 |
| 20 | Brookfield | $49,774 |
| 21 | West Bend | $49,746 |
| 22 | De Pere | $49,707 |
| 23 | New Berlin | $49,613 |
| 24 | Sun Prairie | $49,193 |
| 25 | Caledonia | $49,059 |
| 26 | Beloit | $49,027 |
| 27 | Muskego | $48,953 |
| 28 | Janesville | $48,916 |
| 29 | Stevens Point | $48,725 |
| 30 | Franklin | $48,670 |
| 31 | Oak Creek | $48,517 |
| 32 | Superior | $48,443 |
| 33 | Manitowoc | $48,418 |
| 34 | Pewaukee | $48,239 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $48,097 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $48,090 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $48,041 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $48,036 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $47,994 |
| 40 | Germantown | $47,961 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $47,942 |
| 42 | River Falls | $47,706 |
| 43 | Mequon | $47,313 |
| 44 | Platteville | $47,310 |
| 45 | Middleton | $46,807 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $46,419 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
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 Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Wisconsin?
How many medical assistants are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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