Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in New Bedford, MA: $41,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the New Bedford, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,139 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out New Bedford's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,916 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,640) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the medical assistant field in New Bedford can anticipate a starting salary of around $41,139, which is on the lower end of the salary spectrum for this profession. This entry-level compensation falls significantly below the city's median annual salary of $50,640, leaving a gap of over $9,500 that aspiring medical assistants should consider while setting expectations. However, medical assistants in this area can expect steady salary growth in their first three to five years, with potential increases up to the 25th percentile, which is $43,332. With New Bedford's projected growth rate for medical assistants at 4.97% annually, the local market currently offers reasonable opportunities for new graduates looking to establish their careers in the healthcare sector.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in New Bedford
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 New Bedford
Entry-level medical assistants in New Bedford, MA typically start between $41,139 and $43,332 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,749 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,640 — 5.59% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Massachusetts of $14,000 represents just 34.03% of the starting medical assistant pay ($41,139/year) in New Bedford. 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 New Bedford
- 1Research the New Bedford market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $41,139 to $43,332, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in New Bedford, 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 New Bedford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5New Bedford'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 New Bedford is $23,749 ( 57.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,139, experienced hygienists can earn up to $64,888.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,780
2025 BLS Actual
$39,191
2026 Current Est.
$41,139
2019–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,183 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in New Bedford, MA grew 41.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,780 in 2019 to $39,191 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,183. New graduates entering the New Bedford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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 New Bedford
Many employers in New Bedford are actively seeking new graduates, particularly primary care offices and urgent care chains that often have structured onboarding programs. Specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically prefer candidates with some experience, while Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide not only job opportunities but also benefits like NHSC loan repayment options and roles that offer bilingual compensation. To boost earning potential, new grads should consider completing an accredited program—either a diploma or an associate’s degree—along with obtaining national certifications like CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or NCMA (NCCT). In the first 1-3 years of employment, medical assistants in New Bedford can expect their salaries to rise as they gain experience, especially as corporate settings in occupational health and urgent care continue to see expansion. Overall, engaging with these training pathways and strategically targeting employers can effectively enhance new grad medical assistant pay in MA.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
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 New Bedford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for New Bedford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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