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

A typical Medical Assistant in Ohio earns about $20.58 per hour ($42,810 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,568 a month, or $823 a week, when calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies somewhat by city and employer, but this figure sits at the middle of the statewide range. It reflects what a typical Medical Assistant earns in a full year of work.

Ohio's typical pay sits 6% below the national figure of $45,690 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That gap places Ohio 34th among the 51 states and territories ranked for this occupation. Lower pay in Ohio tends to track lower living costs compared with higher-cost states. The state's 28,950 Medical Assistants make up a workforce comparable in scale to several neighboring states.

Entry-level Medical Assistant positions in Ohio typically offer around $17.33 an hour ($36,050 a year), based on the lowest end of the May 2025 wage data. Some entry-level roles start closer to $18.30 an hour ($38,060 a year), depending on the employer and setting. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $20.58 an hour within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Ohio often earn upwards of $22.25 an hour ($46,270 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $23.35 an hour ($48,560 a year). The spread between entry-level and top pay comes to $12,510 a year. Setting plays a role, since specialty clinics and hospital systems tend to pay more than small practices. Years of experience and location within the state also separate the two groups.

Ohio's typical Medical Assistant pay has climbed from $28,600 in 2015 to $42,810 in 2025, a gain of $14,210 over the decade. That amounts to a 50% rise in typical pay over ten years. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, without sharp jumps or dips. Pay moved from $34,150 in 2020 to $42,810 by 2025, continuing the upward trend through recent years.

Nationally, typical Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same ten years, putting Ohio's 50% gain slightly ahead of the national pace. Both increases reflect a decade of rising pay across the profession. For someone starting as a Medical Assistant in Ohio now, recent history shows pay has moved up steadily, though future increases are not guaranteed. The trend suggests the occupation has kept gaining ground rather than losing it.

Cincinnati pays Medical Assistants the most in Ohio, with typical pay of $44,340 a year ($21.32 an hour), about 4% above the statewide figure. Columbus and Toledo follow closely, at $44,140 and $44,120 a year. All figures cover the full metro area around each city, not just the city limits. Pay in these three metro areas clusters within a couple hundred dollars of each other.

Warren pays the least among Ohio's metro areas, with typical pay of $36,850 a year, putting the statewide city spread at $7,490. Columbus has the largest Medical Assistant workforce of any Ohio city, with 5,850 workers, even though its pay sits close to the state figure rather than at the top. Lower pay in cities like Warren generally lines up with a lower cost of living than in Cincinnati or Columbus.

Among Ohio's neighbors, Indiana pays more, with typical Medical Assistant pay of $45,110 a year, about 5% above Ohio's figure. Pennsylvania also runs slightly higher, at $43,920. Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia all pay less, with West Virginia trailing furthest at $37,180, about 13% below Ohio. Medical Assistant licensing or registration requirements often transfer or can be endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Medical Assistants in Ohio typically earn $42,810 a year, a figure that has risen 50% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level roles near $36,050 to top earners above $48,560. Readers considering this career in Ohio can check the state licensing or registry page for current requirements, and the city pages for local pay figures in Cincinnati, Columbus, and elsewhere.