Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Saginaw, MI: $20.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Saginaw, MI runs $20.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,384 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Saginaw's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,030 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Saginaw, Michigan, medical assistants can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $20.86, which falls short compared to the national median of $23.06. This rate offers a reasonable wage for part-time employees working three days a week or those in per-diem settings, which are increasingly common in medical environments such as primary care exam rooms, specialty practice procedure rooms, and urgent care facilities. For entry-level positions, the hourly wages can start as low as $17.82, while more experienced professionals at the top of the pay scale may earn as much as $23.14. This information is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and helps prospective medical assistants in Saginaw gauge their earning potential based on their experience and employment circumstances.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.82 | $142.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.49 | $147.88 |
| Median (P50) | $20.86 | $166.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.30 | $178.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.14 | $185.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Saginaw
Based on $20.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.86/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Saginaw, MI can expect to earn approximately $43,384 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,029. With a cost-of-living index of 90.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Saginaw.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Saginaw
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $834.30 | $3,615 | $43,384 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $500.58 | $2,169 | $26,030 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $333.72 | $1,446 | $17,353 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Saginaw) | $20.86 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Saginaw, MI earn a median of $43,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.54% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.40% above the Michigan state average of $41,958.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.86/hr = $26,030/year (purchasing power: $28,639).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,384/year (purchasing power: $47,732).
CoL index: 90.891 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Saginaw (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Saginaw grew 39.6% from $14.23/hr (2019) to $19.87/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Saginaw 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Saginaw
Focusing on part-time medical assistants who work 24 hours a week, they could anticipate an annual income of approximately $26,368, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem medical assistants in Saginaw often bill $20-$30 per hour, and those within specialty practices like dermatology may even see rates ranging from $25 to $38 per hour. Additionally, urgent care centers often provide stipends that enhance earning potential, adding $50 to $150 per 12-hour shift. Rates differ widely depending on the employer type, with primary care practices typically offering lower wages compared to urgent care centers or specialty clinics, which may compensate at a premium. Those weighing hourly rates against benefits often find themselves making decisions based on the trade-off between higher pay without health insurance and slightly lower pay with benefits. For effective negotiations, medical assistants in Saginaw should emphasize their certification, such as CMA or RMA, and consider not just the rate but overall job satisfaction and the potential for career growth in roles that may bridge to LPN or RN pathways.
More salary data for Saginaw, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Saginaw. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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