Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Salem, MA: $40,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Salem, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,989 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salem's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,778 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($48,431) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, recent graduates pursuing medical assistant roles in Salem, Massachusetts can expect a starting salary around $40,989, which is close to the lower end of the area’s salary range. This amount represents a significant entry point into the healthcare field, although it is notably lower than the city median salary of $48,431. However, over the first several years, new medical assistants can anticipate a steady salary growth trajectory, moving from entry-level figures toward the projected $42,261 at the 25th percentile and ultimately towards the median. Salem’s competitive job market for medical professionals, combined with an expected annual growth rate of 4.97% in the field, makes it a promising environment for entry-level candidates to secure a foothold and advance their careers.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salem
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 Salem
Entry-level medical assistants in Salem, MA typically start between $40,989 and $42,261 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,214 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $48,431 — 0.98% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Massachusetts of $14,000 represents just 34.16% of the starting medical assistant pay ($40,989/year) in Salem. 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 Salem
- 1Research the Salem market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $40,989 to $42,261, 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 Salem, 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 Salem for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salem'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 Salem is $22,214 ( 54.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,989, experienced hygienists can earn up to $63,203.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,967
2025 BLS Actual
$39,048
2026 Current Est.
$40,989
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,967 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,048 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,026 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Salem, MA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,967 in 2019 to $39,048 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,026. New graduates entering the Salem job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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 Salem
For new medical assistants eager to enhance their earning potential, knowing where to apply is critical. Primary care offices and urgent care facilities in Salem actively seek new graduates, often providing comprehensive onboarding programs. While specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, generally prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offer competitive compensation and benefits like NHSC loan repayment and bilingual roles. To increase their starting medical assistant pay in MA, new grads should consider earning their degree or diploma from accredited programs and obtaining national certifications recognized by AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT. Adding specialized skills like phlebotomy or EKG can also significantly boost salary prospects. As Salem continues to see robust growth in healthcare roles, early-career professionals should aim for positions in high-demand sectors like corporate occupational health, which can provide opportunities for faster salary increases, typically reaching between 20-40% above the median salary in specialty practices within their first few years.
More salary data for Salem, 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 Salem. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salem 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