Medical Assistant Pay

Amsterdam vs Rochester: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Amsterdam, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amsterdam, NY
$43,451
$20.89/hr
Rochester, NY
$43,783
$21.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmsterdam, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$43,451$43,783
Hourly Rate$20.89$21.05
Entry Level (P10)$38,084$40,036
25th Percentile$38,846$41,211
75th Percentile$44,389$48,612
Top Earner (P90)$51,016$50,396
Total Employed61,890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amsterdam ($43,451) and Rochester ($43,783) medical assistant salaries.AmsterdamRochesterMedian Salary$43,451$43,783Entry Level (P10)$38,084$40,036Top Earner (P90)$51,016$50,396US Median $47,961

Verdict

Rochester, NY offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Amsterdam.

The salary gap between Amsterdam and Rochester is $332 (0.76%). Rochester's median is -8.71% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amsterdam spans $12,932,Rochester spans $10,360. Amsterdam has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Amsterdam
P10 (Entry)$38,084
P25$38,846
Median$43,451
P75$44,389
P90 (Top)$51,016
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$40,036
P25$41,211
Median$43,783
P75$48,612
P90 (Top)$50,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($45,121 effective) pays 20.35% more than Amsterdam ($37,490 effective).

Amsterdam
Nominal: $43,451
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $37,490
Rochester
Nominal: $43,783
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $45,121

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amsterdam if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($51,016)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,783/year)
  • Larger job market (1,890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,121)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Amsterdam grew -13.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Amsterdam, NY

+-13.2%

$47,704 (2024) → $41,394 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+27.1%

$32,810 (2019) → $41,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Amsterdam or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median medical assistant salary at $43,783/year, compared to Amsterdam at $43,451/year — a difference of $332 (0.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amsterdam and Rochester?

Amsterdam medical assistants earn $20.89/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $21.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amsterdam to Rochester as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amsterdam and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amsterdam = $37,490, Rochester = $45,121), job availability (6 vs 1,890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Amsterdam vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,084 in Amsterdam and $40,036 in Rochester. The Rochester 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