Medical Assistant salary in New York
Medical Assistants in New York earn a median of $48,000 a year ($23.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 40,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,480 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $45,690. New York ranks 12th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 4.2 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $48,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $43,600 | $20.96 |
| Median | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 75th percentile | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Average (mean) | $48,750 | $23.44 |
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 | $4,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,000 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,846.15 |
| Weekly | $923.08 |
| Hourly | $23.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $53,760 | 390 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48,370 | 44,060 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $47,860 | 190 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $45,450 | 1,060 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $44,870 | 1,390 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $44,650 | 2,310 |
| Syracuse, NY | $44,250 | 1,230 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $44,020 | 330 |
| Kingston, NY | $42,620 | 90 |
| Rochester, NY | $41,710 | 1,890 |
| Binghamton, NY | $41,110 | 290 |
| Elmira, NY | $40,010 | 190 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $39,110 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Orderly | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,100 | $30.82 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for medical assistants in New York is $48,000 a year, or $23.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in New York?
The top 10% of medical assistants in New York earn at least $59,480 a year. The top 25% earn $55,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,280 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $43,600 or less.
How many medical assistants work in New York?
About 40,710 medical assistants are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.