Medical Assistant Pay

Allentown vs New Castle: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Allentown, PA and New Castle, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$47,656
$22.91/hr
New Castle, PA
$43,380
$20.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PANew Castle, PA
Median Salary$47,656$43,380
Hourly Rate$22.91$20.86
Entry Level (P10)$38,262$36,049
25th Percentile$40,896$38,779
75th Percentile$49,042$44,506
Top Earner (P90)$50,470$51,396
Total Employed1,6404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($47,656) and New Castle ($43,380) medical assistant salaries.AllentownNew CastleMedian Salary$47,656$43,380Entry Level (P10)$38,262$36,049Top Earner (P90)$50,470$51,396US Median $47,961

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Castle.

The salary gap between Allentown and New Castle is $4,276 (9.86%). Allentown's median is -0.64% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $12,208,New Castle spans $15,347. New Castle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$38,262
P25$40,896
Median$47,656
P75$49,042
P90 (Top)$50,470
New Castle
P10 (Entry)$36,049
P25$38,779
Median$43,380
P75$44,506
P90 (Top)$51,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($47,671 effective) pays 7.04% more than New Castle ($44,538 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $47,656
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $47,671
New Castle
Nominal: $43,380
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $44,538

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,656/year)
  • Larger job market (1,640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,671)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose New Castle if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($51,396)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Allentown grew 30.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in New Castle over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+30.8%

$34,720 (2019) → $45,400 (2025)

New Castle, PA

+10.9%

$37,274 (2024) → $41,326 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Allentown or New Castle?

Allentown has a higher median medical assistant salary at $47,656/year, compared to New Castle at $43,380/year — a difference of $4,276 (9.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and New Castle?

Allentown medical assistants earn $22.91/hr while New Castle hygienists earn $20.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to New Castle as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and New Castle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $47,671, New Castle = $44,538), job availability (1,640 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Allentown vs New Castle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,262 in Allentown and $36,049 in New Castle. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov