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

A typical Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania earns about $21.12 per hour ($43,920 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,660 a month and $845 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures represent typical pay across the state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

That is 4% below the national figure of $45,690 a year, and it places Pennsylvania 32nd among the 51 states and territories tracked. About 23,050 Medical Assistants work across the state, giving a sense of scale for the profession. Pay that trails the national figure often reflects a lower cost of living rather than a smaller role in the field.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $17.70 an hour, or about $36,810 a year, according to the latest wage data. That is where many Medical Assistants start, often in their first year or two on the job. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $43,920 a year within a few years of experience. Growth from there depends on setting and added responsibilities.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $22.35 an hour, or roughly $46,490 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $23.32 an hour, or $48,500 a year. That leaves a spread of $11,690 between entry-level and top pay across the state. Setting, years on the job, and city all play a part in where someone lands within that range.

Pennsylvania's typical pay for Medical Assistants climbed from $29,490 in 2015 to $43,920 in 2025, a gain of $14,430 over the decade. That is a 49% rise in typical pay over ten years. The increase has been steady year over year rather than a single jump, according to wage data going back to 2015.

The national figure rose by the same 49% over the same decade, so Pennsylvania's gains have kept pace with the country as a whole rather than falling behind. For someone starting as a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania now, pay has clearly moved up over the past ten years, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.

Pay runs highest in Philadelphia, where Medical Assistants typically earn $45,890 a year, about 4% above the state figure. Reading and Allentown follow closely, with typical pay of $45,610 and $45,400 a year. These figures cover the full metro area around each city, not just the city center.

Pay is lowest in Johnstown, at $38,400 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas at $7,490. Philadelphia also has the largest Medical Assistant workforce in the state, at 13,150 workers. Higher pay in cities like Philadelphia and Reading generally lines up with a higher cost of living, so the gap does not necessarily mean more money left over each month.

Among neighboring states, New York pays Medical Assistants the most, at $48,000 a year, about 9% above Pennsylvania's figure, and New Jersey follows at $47,210, about 7% higher. West Virginia pays the least of Pennsylvania's neighbors, at $37,180 a year, about 15% lower. Ohio and Delaware sit closer to Pennsylvania's own figure. Medical Assistant certification or registration in one state can often be transferred or recognized in a neighboring state, which is worth checking before a move.

Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania typically earn $43,920 a year today, up 49% over the past decade. For specific requirements, the Pennsylvania licensing or registry page covers what is needed to work in the state, and the city pages on this site break down local pay in more detail. Together, these figures give a starting point for evaluating pay and planning a move within Pennsylvania or from a neighboring state.