Medical Assistant Pay

Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Glenview, IL: $37,192 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Glenview, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,192 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Glenview's local price level (BEA RPP 97.13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,303 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($44,109) within a few years of clinical practice.

$37,192
Starting Salary
$17.88/hr
Starting Hourly
$37,192
Entry Level
$44,109
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Assistant Entry Level Salary in Glenview, IL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Glenview, IL medical assistant entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Glenview, Illinois, the starting medical assistant salary for new graduates is projected to be around $37,192 in 2026. This figure represents the baseline for early-career professionals just entering the field and reveals a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $44,109. Aspiring medical assistants can expect to see a gradual increase in pay over their first few years, progressing from this starting point to approximately $38,343 within their initial year and moving closer to the median salary with experience. Given these figures, Glenview currently offers a favorable market for new graduates eager to launch their careers in healthcare, especially considering the anticipated annual growth rate of 4.97% for the profession.

About the Glenview Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Glenview

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$37,192/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$38,343/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$44,109/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$45,512/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glenview

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical assistants in Glenview. The median salary is $44,109, compared to the national median of $47,961.$33.5K$40.2K$46.9K$53.6K$60.3K$37.2K10th Pctl$38.3K25th Pctl$44.1KMedian$45.5K75th Pctl$57.5K90th PctlUS Median$48.0K

Entry-level medical assistants in Glenview, IL typically start between $37,192 and $38,343 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,262 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $44,1098.03% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical assistant pay in the Glenview metro area.

Return on Investment

$9,000
Avg IL Program Cost
$37,192
Starting Salary
24.20%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical assisting program cost in Illinois of $9,000 represents just 24.20% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,192/year) in Glenview. 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 Glenview

  • 1Research the Glenview market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,192 to $38,343, 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 IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Glenview, 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 Glenview for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Glenview'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 Glenview is $20,262 ( 54.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,192, experienced hygienists can earn up to $57,454.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$25,377

2025 BLS Actual

$35,431

2026 Current Est.

$37,192

2019–2027 Growth

+53.8%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Glenview (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical assistants in Glenview. Baseline $25,377 in 2025, projected to $39,040 by 2027.$22.6K$27.4K$32.2K$37.0K$41.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$25.4K$26.5K$28.6K$29.9K$32.9K$33.2K$35.4K$37.2K$39.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$25,377Actual
2020$26,468Actual
2021$28,571Actual
2022$29,868Actual
2023$32,925Actual
2024$33,180Actual
2025$35,431Actual
2026(current)$37,192Estimated
2027$39,040Projected

Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Glenview, IL grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,377 in 2019 to $35,431 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,040. New graduates entering the Glenview job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glenview metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Glenview

Employers in Glenview are actively seeking entry-level medical assistants, particularly within primary care offices and urgent care chains that often have structured onboarding programs tailored for new graduates. These environments provide valuable experience and can lead to quicker salary advancements. Specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedic clinics, tend to prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience but may offer pay premiums of 20-40% for those roles. To enhance starting pay, candidates should consider obtaining credentials from recognized bodies such as AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, and completing an accredited MA program, which typically takes 9-12 months. Those looking to secure higher salaries should also consider additional certifications in phlebotomy or EKG, which can be attractive to prospective employers. Given the rapid growth of the medical assistant workforce, with primary care and urgent care sectors leading in job creation, early-career professionals in Glenview should be optimistic about their earning potential and career progression in the first few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical assistants in Glenview in 2026?

Entry-level medical assistants in Glenview start at approximately $37,192/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.97% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $17.88/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical assistant salaries grow in Glenview?

Most medical assistants in Glenview progress from the entry-level salary of $37,192 to the area median of $44,109 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $57,454 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical assisting school worth it in Glenview?

With a starting salary of $37,192/year in Glenview and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical assistants recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical assistants make right out of school in Glenview?

New medical assisting graduates in Glenview typically start near the 10th percentile at $37,192/year, or approximately $17.88/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical assistant in Illinois?

To become a licensed medical assistant in Illinois, you typically need pathways: (1) certificate program (9-12 months at community college or vocational school), (2) associate degree in medical assisting (2 years), or (3) on-the-job training in some states. most employers prefer or require certification: cma (american association of medical assistants), rma (american medical technologists), ccma (nha), or ncma (ncct)., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Illinois, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical assistants pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Illinois

EC

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

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 Glenview. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Glenview is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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