Medical Assistant Pay

Canton vs Cleveland: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Canton, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Canton, OH
$40,078
$19.27/hr
Cleveland, OH
$46,008
$22.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCanton, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$40,078$46,008
Hourly Rate$19.27$22.12
Entry Level (P10)$36,991$38,954
25th Percentile$38,356$40,760
75th Percentile$46,197$49,798
Top Earner (P90)$47,803$57,566
Total Employed8805,180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Canton ($40,078) and Cleveland ($46,008) medical assistant salaries.CantonClevelandMedian Salary$40,078$46,008Entry Level (P10)$36,991$38,954Top Earner (P90)$47,803$57,566US Median $47,961

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Canton.

The salary gap between Canton and Cleveland is $5,930 (14.80%). Cleveland's median is -4.07% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Canton spans $10,812,Cleveland spans $18,612. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Canton
P10 (Entry)$36,991
P25$38,356
Median$40,078
P75$46,197
P90 (Top)$47,803
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,954
P25$40,760
Median$46,008
P75$49,798
P90 (Top)$57,566

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($48,985 effective) pays 9.28% more than Canton ($44,827 effective).

Canton
Nominal: $40,078
CoL Index: 89.406
Adjusted: $44,827
Cleveland
Nominal: $46,008
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,985

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Canton if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,566)
  • Larger job market (5,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,985)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Canton grew 24.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.4% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Canton, OH

+24.3%

$30,720 (2019) → $38,180 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+25.4%

$34,940 (2019) → $43,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Canton or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,008/year, compared to Canton at $40,078/year — a difference of $5,930 (14.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Canton and Cleveland?

Canton medical assistants earn $19.27/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $22.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Canton to Cleveland as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Canton and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Canton = $44,827, Cleveland = $48,985), job availability (880 vs 5,180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Canton vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $36,991 in Canton and $38,954 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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