How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Illinois in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in Illinois earns about $22.16 per hour ($46,090 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,841 a month and $886 a week, figures calculated from the annual median. Pay varies by city and experience, but this figure represents the middle of the range statewide.

Illinois pay runs about 1% above the national median of $45,690 a year, and the state ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories on this measure. Roughly 20,260 Medical Assistants work across Illinois, giving the figure a solid base. That places the state squarely in the middle of the national pack rather than at either extreme.

Entry-level positions in Illinois typically offer around $17.50 an hour, or about $36,400 a year, for those just starting out. Some newcomers land closer to $18.74 an hour, or $38,970 a year, depending on the employer and setting. Pay generally moves toward the statewide typical figure of $46,090 within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Illinois often earn upwards of $23.78 an hour, or $49,460 a year, once they've built a track record. The top 10% of earners make over $56,590 a year, roughly $27.21 an hour. That leaves a spread of $20,190 between entry-level and top pay, a gap shaped mostly by years on the job, work setting, and city.

Illinois Medical Assistants saw pay climb from $30,800 in 2015 to $46,090 in 2025, a gain of $15,290 over the decade. That's a 50% increase, moving pay up steadily rather than in one jump. Year-over-year data shows consistent gains, with the sharpest single-year rise between 2022 and 2023.

That 50% rise slightly outpaces the national decade gain of 49% for the same occupation. Pay has moved up steadily for a decade, though there's no guarantee that pattern continues. Someone starting out now enters a field where typical pay has kept ahead of national trends over the past ten years.

Pay runs highest in the Chicago metro area, where Medical Assistants typically earn $47,270 a year, about 3% above the statewide figure. Springfield follows at $45,140 a year, and Moline and Rock Island both post $44,700. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city proper.

Bloomington posts the lowest pay in the data at $38,070 a year, a spread of $9,200 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in Illinois. Chicago also carries the largest Medical Assistant workforce in the state, with 15,640 employed there. Higher pay in Chicago tends to track its higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't necessarily mean a better deal.

Illinois pay compares closely with its neighbors. Wisconsin pays the most among them, at $48,680 a year, about 6% above Illinois. Iowa ($45,480) and Indiana ($45,110) sit close behind, within a couple percentage points either way. Missouri ($40,440) and Kentucky ($39,270) pay noticeably less, trailing Illinois by 12% and 15%. Medical Assistant certification generally transfers or can be endorsed between neighboring states without starting over.

Medical Assistants in Illinois typically earn $46,090 a year ($22.16 an hour), a figure that has climbed 50% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience, with Chicago running highest and entry-level roles starting lower. Readers considering this path should check Illinois's licensing or registry requirements and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before making a decision.