PayByState

Illinois · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in Illinois

Median $43,260 · Top 10% earn $56,950+ · Roughly 29,796 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median
$43,260
$20.80/hr
Top 10%
$56,950
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$32,190
Entry-level range
Real pay
$43,521
CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for medical assistants — $43,260 versus the national median of $42,000. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 29,796 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in Illinois

Illinois MA pay is moderate. Chicago-area FQHCs and large hospital systems (Northwestern, Advocate Aurora) pay above state median; specialty practices pay highest.

Illinois ranks #18 of 50 states

Where Illinois sits in the national distribution for medical assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Illinois
#16 Nevada $43,680 +$420
#15 New Hampshire $44,100 +$840
#14 Rhode Island $44,100 +$840
#18 Illinois (this page) $43,260 —
#19 Delaware $42,420 −$840
#20 Arizona $41,580 −$1,680
#21 Maine $41,580 −$1,680
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Illinois

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (most common); some on-the-job, taking about 9 months. Tuition ranges from $1,200 (community college) to $18,000 (private accelerated). On the Illinois median of $43,260, payback periods are typically 1.6 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Medical Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Illinois selected.

Medical Assistant salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in Illinois?
The median medical assistant salary in Illinois is $43,260 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $32,190; the top 10% earn $56,950 or more. About 29,796 people work in this role across the state.
How does Illinois medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
Illinois's median of $43,260 is $1,260 above the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $43,521.
Is medical assistant a good career in Illinois?
On the data: Illinois employs roughly 29,796 medical assistants, with a median wage of $43,260 and the top decile clearing $56,950. The role is projected to grow +14% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for medical assistants in Illinois?
At the Illinois median of $43,260 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $20.80/hr. The top 10% earn around $27.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $15.48/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9092: Medical Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.