Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Oxford, OH: $34,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Oxford, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,474 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oxford's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,009 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,768) 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 Oxford, Ohio, can expect a starting salary around $34,474, which indicates a significant gap from the city’s median annual salary of $42,768. For those in early-career stages, there’s a reasonable path for growth with the potential to reach salaries of approximately $38,456 within their first few years as they gain on-the-job experience. This trajectory can lead a dedicated new medical assistant toward the median over a span of three to five years, making Oxford a promising market for entry-level professionals ready to embark on their healthcare careers.
About the Oxford Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oxford
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 Oxford
Entry-level medical assistants in Oxford, OH typically start between $34,474 and $38,456 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,988 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,768 — 10.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Ohio of $7,000 represents just 20.31% of the starting medical assistant pay ($34,474/year) in Oxford. 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 Oxford
- 1Research the Oxford market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $34,474 to $38,456, 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 Oxford, 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 Oxford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oxford'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 Oxford is $18,988 ( 55.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,474, experienced hygienists can earn up to $53,462.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,522
2025 BLS Actual
$32,842
2026 Current Est.
$34,474
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,522 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,534 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,686 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,519 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,329 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,842 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,188 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Oxford, OH grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,522 in 2019 to $32,842 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,188. New graduates entering the Oxford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxford 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 Oxford
The job market in Oxford offers favorable conditions for recent graduates, with primary care offices and urgent care chains being the most common employers of newly minted medical assistants. These facilities often provide structured onboarding processes that help newcomers gain valuable skills quickly. In contrast, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically seek applicants with 1-2 years of experience. For career advancement and increased earning potential, acquiring certifications from recognized bodies like the AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT can be advantageous. Additionally, involvement in continued education, such as pursuing phlebotomy or EKG training, can enhance employability. Given the fast growth rate in the medical assistant workforce, newcomers in this field can expect their pay to increase significantly in the first few years, particularly if they align themselves with healthcare settings that offer competitive salaries and opportunities for skill development.
More salary data for Oxford, OH:
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 Oxford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oxford 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