Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Shrewsbury, MA: $40,105 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Shrewsbury, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,105 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shrewsbury's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,963 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($48,053) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a medical assistant in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts presents promising opportunities in 2026, with an entry-level salary starting at approximately $40,105. New grads can expect a strong potential for salary growth as they gain experience; moving from the starting pay through milestones such as $41,467 at P25, and eventually reaching the median annual salary of $48,053 within the first few years of their careers. This trajectory is encouraging, particularly considering that the local market is favorable for fresh graduates, offering a competitive advantage over the national median annual salary of $47,961. The medical assistant position in Shrewsbury is well-regarded, presenting a solid stepping stone for those looking to advance in the healthcare field.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shrewsbury
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 Shrewsbury
Entry-level medical assistants in Shrewsbury, MA typically start between $40,105 and $41,467 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,001 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $48,053 — 0.19% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Massachusetts of $14,000 represents just 34.91% of the starting medical assistant pay ($40,105/year) in Shrewsbury. 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 Shrewsbury
- 1Research the Shrewsbury market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $40,105 to $41,467, 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 Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shrewsbury'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 Shrewsbury is $22,001 ( 54.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,105, experienced hygienists can earn up to $62,106.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,364
2025 BLS Actual
$38,206
2026 Current Est.
$40,105
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Shrewsbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,207 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,503 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,206 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,105 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,098 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Shrewsbury, MA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,364 in 2019 to $38,206 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,098. New graduates entering the Shrewsbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury
Employers in Shrewsbury typically engage medical assistants straight out of training programs, with primary care offices and urgent care facilities being the most common hiring venues. These workplaces often provide structured onboarding, making them ideal for new graduates. Specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedics, usually seek candidates with prior experience, while federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer attractive benefits, including loan repayment options. To enhance your qualifications, obtaining certifications such as CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is beneficial and often leads to increased starting medical assistant pay in MA. Additional credentials and skills, like phlebotomy or EKG training, can further elevate a candidate's marketability. Over the first three years, realistic expectations for salary growth in this field align with industry trends that show considerable demand for medical assistants, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, providing a solid foundation for a successful career.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shrewsbury 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