Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Keller, TX: $30,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Keller, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $30,857 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Keller's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $32,143 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($37,410) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the workforce as a medical assistant in Keller, Texas, offers new graduates an annual starting salary around $30,857. This figure represents the 10th percentile for the profession in the area, indicating that while it establishes a benchmark for initial earnings, there is ample opportunity for growth. Compared to the city's median salary of $37,410, there exists a noticeable gap, but most entry-level medical assistants can expect their pay to rise quickly as they gain experience. Within the first three to five years, it is realistic for new graduates to see their salaries increase to about $32,013 at the 25th percentile and eventually reach the median as they develop their skills in a high-demand job market, projected to grow by 4.97% annually.
About the Keller Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Keller
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 Keller
Entry-level medical assistants in Keller, TX typically start between $30,857 and $32,013 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $15,740 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $37,410 — 22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Texas of $6,500 represents just 21.06% of the starting medical assistant pay ($30,857/year) in Keller. 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 Keller
- 1Research the Keller market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $30,857 to $32,013, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Keller, 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 Keller for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Keller'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 Keller is $15,740 ( 51.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $30,857, experienced hygienists can earn up to $46,597.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,054
2025 BLS Actual
$29,396
2026 Current Est.
$30,857
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Keller (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $21,959 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,704 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,391 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Keller, TX grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $21,054 in 2019 to $29,396 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $32,391. New graduates entering the Keller job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keller 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 Keller
In Keller, employers often hiring new medical assistant graduates include primary care offices and urgent care chains, which provide structured onboarding processes to ease the transition into the role. Specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically prefer candidates with one to two years of experience, while Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) often offer attractive opportunities, including loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps for eligible candidates. Credentials, including a diploma or associate's degree from an accredited medical assistant program, and certification from recognized bodies such as the AAMA or AMT can significantly enhance starting pay in Texas. With the rapid expansion of the medical assistant workforce and high demand in primary care and urgent care settings, new grads can anticipate salary growth that may align well with what specialty practices pay, which can offer a premium of 20-40%. It’s crucial for new entrants to integrate themselves in these environments early on to broaden their career pathways and set the stage for future roles in nursing or other advanced healthcare positions.
More salary data for Keller, TX:
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 Keller. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Keller 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