Medical Assistant salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Medical Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $47,270 a year ($22.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,360 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $46,090. There are 3.5 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $47,080, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| 25th percentile | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Median | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| 75th percentile | $50,260 | $24.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Average (mean) | $47,080 | $22.63 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,939.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,969.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,818.08 |
| Weekly | $909.04 |
| Hourly | $22.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $46,900 | 6,580 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $45,220 | 1,760 |
| Springfield, IL | $45,140 | 790 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $44,710 | 6,170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $44,700 | 840 |
| Kokomo, IN | $44,700 | 170 |
| Peoria, IL | $44,680 | 710 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $44,600 | 840 |
| Columbus, IN | $44,580 | 400 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $44,550 | 570 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $44,520 | 240 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $44,450 | 4,140 |
| Rockford, IL | $44,390 | 690 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $44,350 | 400 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $44,340 | 5,560 |
| Evansville, IN | $43,980 | 890 |
| Bloomington, IN | $43,900 | 480 |
| Decatur, IL | $43,060 | 130 |
| Muncie, IN | $40,940 | 410 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,360 | 450 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,130 | 460 |
| Kankakee, IL | $38,440 | 210 |
| Bloomington, IL | $38,070 | 230 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $37,470 | 350 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $36,960 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,730 | $17.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,270 a year, or $22.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $57,360 a year. The top 25% earn $50,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,600 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $40,690 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 15,640 medical assistants are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.