Medical Assistant Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $52,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $52,055/year (≈ $25.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $53,700 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the projected median salary for medical assistants stands at $52,055 in 2026, reflecting an increase compared to national averages. This compensation is situated within a salary range of $43,080 at the 10th percentile to $61,922 at the 90th percentile. The insights come from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcasing the premium available for bilingual medical assistants, particularly in diverse communities. This bilingual edge can significantly shift pay scales in Milwaukee's medical job market, underscoring the demand for employees who can effectively communicate with varied patient populations across numerous healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,386 | $24.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,055 | $25.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,741 | $28.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,922 | $29.77 |
Median Salary Position
8.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,842 (2026 est.). At $52,055, the local median is 8.54% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $52,055/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $50,637 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +8.54% more |
Medical Assistants in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $52,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 2.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $50,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $52,055 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,700 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,270
2025 BLS Actual
$49,590
2026 Current Est.
$52,055
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,642 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 33.1% from $37,270 (2019) to $49,590 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,642 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,372 (46.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $43,080 – $50,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,386 – $52,055 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,055 – $58,741 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,741 – $61,922 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Milwaukee
The medical assistant job market in Milwaukee is robust, employing approximately 4,170 professionals across various settings, including primary care offices, urgent care facilities, and specialty practices. With a cost-of-living index of 96.937, living expenses in Milwaukee remain slightly below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of medical assistants in the area. Employers in specialty fields, such as dermatology and orthopedics, typically offer higher pay than general practices, often reaching premiums of 20-40%. Additionally, bilingual skills and multiple certifications can further enhance earning potential. Aspiring medical assistants should consider obtaining certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT and pursuing roles in high-demand settings like urgent care chains or hospital outpatient clinics to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
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 $49,590 for medical assistantsin the Milwaukee 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