PayByState

New York · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in New York

Median $50,400 · Top 10% earn $71,200+ · Roughly 48,896 workers in New York. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

New York median
$50,400
$24.23/hr
Top 10%
$71,200
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$37,500
Entry-level range
Real pay
$43,448
CoL-adjusted (RPP 116.0)

New York pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for medical assistants — $50,400 versus the national median of $42,000. After adjusting for New York's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $1,448 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 48,896 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in New York

NYC dermatology, plastic surgery, and concierge primary care MAs earn $48–58K — 15–25% above the NY state median.

Top-paying metros in New York

New York-area metropolitan areas with the highest medical assistant medians.

New York metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $47,400

New York ranks #3 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. New York
#2 District of Columbia $50,820 +$420
#1 California $51,660 +$1,260
#3 New York (this page) $50,400
#4 Washington $49,980 −$420
#5 Alaska $48,720 −$1,680
#6 Oregon $47,880 −$2,520

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Education path for New York

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 New York median of $50,400, payback periods are typically 1 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 New York selected.

Medical Assistant salary in New York — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in New York?
The median medical assistant salary in New York is $50,400 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $37,500; the top 10% earn $71,200 or more. About 48,896 people work in this role across the state.
How does New York medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
New York's median of $50,400 is $8,400 above the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for New York's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 116.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $43,448.
Where does New York pay medical assistants the most?
Top-paying metros in New York include New York-Newark-Jersey City at $47,400. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is medical assistant a good career in New York?
On the data: New York employs roughly 48,896 medical assistants, with a median wage of $50,400 and the top decile clearing $71,200. 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 New York?
At the New York median of $50,400 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $24.23/hr. The top 10% earn around $34.23/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $18.03/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

New York-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 New York's RPP is 116.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.