Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Elyria, OH: $34,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Elyria, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,782 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Elyria's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,348 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($43,795) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the entry-level medical assistant salary in Elyria, Ohio is expected to start around $34,782, which may be a realistic figure for new graduates entering the workforce. This starting salary is significantly lower than the city median of $43,795, reflecting the expected 20% gap that new professionals can anticipate initially. However, there is potential for growth; as early-career medical assistants gain experience and build their skills, they can move up to earn close to the $36,716 mark within their first few years. With the projected growth rate of 4.97% annually for the medical assistant profession, Elyria appears to be a promising market for fresh graduates looking to begin their careers in healthcare.
About the Elyria Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Elyria
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 Elyria
Entry-level medical assistants in Elyria, OH typically start between $34,782 and $36,716 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,132 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $43,795 — 8.69% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Ohio of $7,000 represents just 20.13% of the starting medical assistant pay ($34,782/year) in Elyria. 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 Elyria
- 1Research the Elyria market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $34,782 to $36,716, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Elyria, 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 Elyria for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Elyria'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 Elyria is $21,132 ( 60.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,782, experienced hygienists can earn up to $55,914.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,732
2025 BLS Actual
$33,135
2026 Current Est.
$34,782
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Elyria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,719 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,510 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Elyria, OH grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,732 in 2019 to $33,135 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,510. New graduates entering the Elyria job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elyria 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 Elyria
In Elyria, several employers consistently seek out new graduates for entry-level positions, particularly primary care offices and urgent care chains, which offer structured onboarding programs. Specialty practices like dermatology and orthopedics tend to prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, potentially limiting options for first-time job seekers. For those aspiring to increase their starting medical assistant pay in Ohio, pursuing credentials such as a diploma or associate's degree from an accredited program, along with certification from organizations like CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT), can enhance employability. Continuing education in areas such as phlebotomy or EKG can further boost salaries. In the first three years, new medical assistants can realistically expect to see their salaries improve notably as they gain experience, especially if they consider opportunities in more lucrative specialty practices where earnings can exceed typical pay rates by 20-40%.
More salary data for Elyria, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical assistants in Elyria in 2026?
How fast do medical assistant salaries grow in Elyria?
Is medical assisting school worth it in Elyria?
What do new medical assistants make right out of school in Elyria?
How do I become a medical assistant in Ohio?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Elyria. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elyria 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