Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Jackson, MI: $37,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Jackson, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,369 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jackson's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,716 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,229) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the medical assistant field in Jackson, MI can expect starting salaries around $37,369. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for entry-level positions and provides a realistic benchmark for recent graduates. As they gain experience and skills, young professionals can anticipate a gradual increase in their pay, with the potential to earn approximately $39,280 within a couple of years. Given that the overall median salary for medical assistants in Jackson is projected to be $42,229, the gap for entry-level positions is significant but not insurmountable. With a 4.97% annual growth rate in the field, Jackson appears to be a promising market for new medical assistant graduates, who may find a wealth of opportunities available in primary care and urgent care settings.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jackson
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 Jackson
Entry-level medical assistants in Jackson, MI typically start between $37,369 and $39,280 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $11,967 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,229 — 11.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Michigan of $7,000 represents just 18.73% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,369/year) in Jackson. 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 Jackson
- 1Research the Jackson market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,369 to $39,280, 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 MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jackson, 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 Jackson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jackson's below-average 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 Jackson is $11,967 ( 32.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,369, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,336.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,290
2025 BLS Actual
$35,600
2026 Current Est.
$37,369
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,227 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Jackson, MI grew 25.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,290 in 2019 to $35,600 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,227. New graduates entering the Jackson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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 Jackson
In Jackson, a variety of employers actively seek recent graduates in this profession. Primary care offices and urgent care facilities provide the most opportunities, often including structured onboarding programs designed to assist early-career medical assistants in transitioning smoothly into their roles. Specialty practices, such as those in dermatology and orthopedics, usually require 1-2 years of experience but can offer significantly higher pay rates, ranging from 20-40% above average. To enhance starting medical assistant pay in MI, obtaining a diploma or associate degree from an accredited program, along with certifications like CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or NCMA (NCCT), can be valuable. For new grads in their first few years, developing a career strategy that leverages certifications while also considering pathways to earn advanced qualifications, like transitioning to licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN), can improve long-term salary prospects. In this evolving job market, secured positions at entry-level pay can lead to competitive salaries as their careers progress.
More salary data for Jackson, MI:
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 Jackson. 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