Medical Assistant salary in Pennsylvania
Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,920 a year ($21.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,500 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pennsylvania ranks 32nd of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 3.8 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $43,500, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 25th percentile | $38,950 | $18.72 |
| Median | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| 75th percentile | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,500 | $23.32 |
| Average (mean) | $43,500 | $20.92 |
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 | $3,660 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,830 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,689.23 |
| Weekly | $844.62 |
| Hourly | $21.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $45,890 | 13,150 |
| Reading, PA | $45,610 | 730 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $45,400 | 1,640 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $43,830 | 240 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $43,820 | 1,370 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $43,620 | 710 |
| Lebanon, PA | $43,490 | 180 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $43,480 | 140 |
| Lancaster, PA | $42,910 | 770 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,840 | 4,810 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $42,760 | 840 |
| State College, PA | $42,720 | 180 |
| Williamsport, PA | $40,530 | 180 |
| Erie, PA | $39,640 | 460 |
| Altoona, PA | $39,140 | 270 |
| Johnstown, PA | $38,400 | 140 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $41,510 | $19.96 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,420 | $14.14 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Orderly | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,790 | $21.53 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for medical assistants in Pennsylvania is $43,920 a year, or $21.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $48,500 a year. The top 25% earn $46,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,810 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $38,950 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 23,050 medical assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.