PayByState

Pennsylvania · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in Pennsylvania

Median $41,160 · Top 10% earn $53,030+ · Roughly 34,380 workers in Pennsylvania. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Pennsylvania median
$41,160
$19.79/hr
Top 10%
$53,030
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$30,620
Entry-level range
Real pay
$42,521
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.8)

Pennsylvania pays close to the U.S. median for medical assistants — $41,160 versus the national median of $42,000. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 34,380 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania MA demand is high in metro Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Penn Medicine and UPMC employ thousands of MAs; tuition reimbursement programs are common.

Pennsylvania ranks #23 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Pennsylvania
#22 Virginia $41,580 +$420
#21 Maine $41,580 +$420
#20 Arizona $41,580 +$420
#23 Pennsylvania (this page) $41,160 —
#24 Utah $40,740 −$420
#25 Texas $40,320 −$840
#26 Wisconsin $40,320 −$840
See all 50 states →

Find Medical Assistant programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania median of $41,160, payback periods are typically 2 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 Pennsylvania selected.

Medical Assistant salary in Pennsylvania — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania?
The median medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $41,160 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $30,620; the top 10% earn $53,030 or more. About 34,380 people work in this role across the state.
How does Pennsylvania medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania's median of $41,160 is $840 below the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $42,521.
Is medical assistant a good career in Pennsylvania?
On the data: Pennsylvania employs roughly 34,380 medical assistants, with a median wage of $41,160 and the top decile clearing $53,030. 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 Pennsylvania?
At the Pennsylvania median of $41,160 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $19.79/hr. The top 10% earn around $25.50/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $14.72/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Pennsylvania-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 Pennsylvania's RPP is 96.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.