How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in New York in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in New York earns about $23.08 per hour ($48,000 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $4,000 a month and $923 a week. These figures reflect typical pay for clinical medical assistants across hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient clinics statewide.

That figure sits 5% above the national typical pay of $45,690 a year, placing New York 12th among all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Roughly 40,710 Medical Assistants work across the state, a solid share of the 817,870 counted nationwide. Higher pay here tracks the state's higher cost of living compared with much of the country.

Entry-level positions in New York typically offer around $17.92 an hour ($37,280 a year) for Medical Assistants just starting out. That's noticeably below the statewide typical pay of $23.08 an hour, reflecting the lower rates new hires often see before building clinical experience. Within a few years on the job, pay generally moves up toward the statewide figure of $48,000 a year. Additional certifications and specialty clinical experience tend to speed that climb.

Experienced Medical Assistants in New York often earn upwards of $26.50 to $28.60 an hour, in the range of $55,120 to $59,480 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $59,480 a year, well above what entry-level workers bring home. That gap amounts to a $22,200 spread between entry-level and top pay statewide. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a role in where an individual medical assistant lands within that range.

New York's typical pay for Medical Assistants rose from $33,690 in 2015 to $48,000 in 2025, a gain of $14,310. That amounts to a 42% rise over the decade, according to the latest government wage data. Most of that increase came in a two-year stretch between 2021 and 2023, when pay jumped from $37,860 to $45,440.

Nationally, Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same decade, a somewhat faster climb than New York saw. Even so, New York's typical pay in 2025 remains higher in dollar terms than the national figure. Someone starting out now enters a profession where pay has moved up steadily over ten years, though no state or employer can promise that pace continues.

Pay runs highest in the Ithaca metro area, where Medical Assistants typically earn $53,760 a year ($25.85 an hour), about 12% above the statewide figure. Glens Falls follows closely at $47,860 a year, and the New York City metro area, home to the largest workforce in the state, pays $48,370 a year. Each figure covers the full metro area around that city, not just the city center.

On the lower end, the Fort Drum/Watertown area pays Medical Assistants $39,110 a year ($18.80 an hour), the least of any metro tracked in the state. That leaves a $14,650 spread between the highest- and lowest-paying areas in New York. The New York City metro area employs the most Medical Assistants by far, with 44,060 working there. Smaller upstate cities generally pay less, tracking their lower cost of living relative to downstate.

New York's typical pay compares closely with its neighbors. Massachusetts pays the most nearby, at $49,460 a year, about 3% above New York, while Connecticut ($47,430), Vermont ($47,250), and New Jersey ($47,210) each run 1% to 2% lower. Pennsylvania pays the least of the group, at $43,920 a year, roughly 8% below New York. Medical Assistant licensure or certification earned in one of these states can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring one.

Medical Assistants in New York typically earn $48,000 a year ($23.08 an hour), up 42% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level roles near $37,280 a year to top earners well above $59,480. Anyone considering the field should check New York's state licensing or registry requirements for medical assistants, and review local city pages for pay specific to their area.