Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Chico, CA: $40,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Chico, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,991 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chico's local price level (BEA RPP 101.2 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,506 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($49,493) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
A starting medical assistant salary in Chico, CA, shows promising potential for new graduates entering this dynamic field. In 2026, entry-level positions begin around $40,991, which is considerably lower than the city's median annual salary of $49,493. However, for those early in their careers, there is a clear trajectory for salary growth. As experience is gained, new medical assistants can expect to move from the $48,160 at the 25th percentile to the median in just a few years. Given the projected growth rate of 4.97% in this sector, Chico represents a generally favorable market for recent graduates seeking their first positions, particularly in a healthcare environment that is evolving rapidly.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chico
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
Entry-level medical assistants in Chico, CA typically start between $40,991 and $48,160 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,364 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $49,493 — 3.19% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in California of $8,000 represents just 19.52% of the starting medical assistant pay ($40,991/year) in Chico. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Chico
- 1Research the Chico market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $40,991 to $48,160, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chico, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Chico for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chico's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Chico is $20,364 ( 49.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,991, experienced hygienists can earn up to $61,355.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,950
2025 BLS Actual
$39,050
2026 Current Est.
$40,991
2019–2027 Growth
+59.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,028 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Chico, CA grew 44.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,950 in 2019 to $39,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,028. New graduates entering the Chico job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Chico
Various employers across Chico provide opportunities specifically for new graduates in medical assisting. Primary care offices and urgent care chains are among those that actively recruit entry-level candidates, often incorporating structured onboarding programs to facilitate training. On the other hand, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically favor candidates with 1-2 years of experience. Unique positions in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may also be appealing, as they offer benefits like loan repayment options and enhanced pay for bilingual skills. To maximize starting pay in California, aspiring medical assistants should attain credentials from recognized bodies such as AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, and consider additional qualifications like phlebotomy or EKG. In the first few years, while early salaries may start at a lower range, the demand for medical assistants is on the rise, positioning new graduates to potentially achieve significant salary increases as they progress in their careers.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Chico. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov