Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $39,080 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Jacksonville, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,080 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 99.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,283 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($44,717) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the medical assisting field in Jacksonville, Florida, the starting medical assistant salary is projected to be around $39,080 in 2026. While this figure is below the median annual salary of $44,717 for medical assistants in the area, it reflects the standard entry-level pay as candidates begin their careers. Over the first few years, entry-level professionals can anticipate gradual salary increases, with pay rising as experience and responsibilities grow, eventually reaching the median within three to five years. Given the strong demand for medical assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, Jacksonville offers a favorable market for new grads looking to establish themselves in this vital healthcare profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville
Entry-level medical assistants in Jacksonville, FL typically start between $39,080 and $40,623 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $11,253 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $44,717 — 6.76% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Florida of $6,000 represents just 15.35% of the starting medical assistant pay ($39,080/year) in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $39,080 to $40,623, 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 FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville'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 Jacksonville is $11,253 ( 28.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,080, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,333.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,040
2025 BLS Actual
$37,230
2026 Current Est.
$39,080
2019–2027 Growth
+57.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,080 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,023 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, FL grew 43.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,040 in 2019 to $37,230 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,023. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
In terms of employment opportunities, many primary care offices and urgent care clinics actively recruit new graduates for entry-level positions, often providing structured onboarding programs to ease the transition into professional roles. Specialty practices, like dermatology and orthopedics, typically prefer candidates with previous experience, while Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may offer incentives, such as loan repayment programs for those willing to serve in high-need areas. Enhancing credentials through completion of an accredited medical assistant program and obtaining national certifications, such as those from the AAMA or AMT, can significantly improve starting pay in Florida. New medical assistants can strategically position themselves for salary growth by focusing their career paths within high-demand sectors, particularly where the industry is expecting rapid growth, which includes primary care and occupational health settings, ensuring a path toward increased earnings in the following years.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
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 Jacksonville. 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