Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Toms River, NJ: $26.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Toms River, NJ runs $26.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,473 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Toms River's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,685 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Toms River, NJ, the projected medical assistant hourly pay for 2026 is $26.19, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $23.06. This elevated pay level reflects both the local demand for skilled medical assistants and the higher cost of living in the area, with many professionals working in diverse settings like primary care exam rooms, urgent care intake stations, and specialty practice procedure rooms. With an hourly range from $21.63 for entry-level positions to $32.81 for top earners, those seeking part-time or per-diem work can find attractive options. Indeed, the flexibility of working three days a week makes this role appealing, allowing medical assistants to tailor their schedules around other commitments while still earning a competitive wage.
About the Toms River Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.63 | $173.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.58 | $180.63 |
| Median (P50) | $26.19 | $209.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.60 | $220.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.81 | $262.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Toms River
Based on $26.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.19/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Toms River, NJ can expect to earn approximately $54,475 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,428. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Toms River.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Toms River
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,047.60 | $4,540 | $54,475 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $628.56 | $2,724 | $32,685 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.04 | $1,816 | $21,790 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Toms River) | $26.19 |
| 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 Toms River, NJ earn a median of $54,473 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $55,247.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.19/hr = $32,685/year (purchasing power: $28,373).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,475/year (purchasing power: $47,288).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Toms River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Toms River grew 31.3% from $19.00/hr (2019) to $24.95/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.49/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 Toms River 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 Toms River
For part-time medical assistants working 24 hours a week in Toms River, this hourly pay translates into a considerable annual income, exceeding what many full-time employees in other sectors might earn. Depending on the nature of their employment, per-diem roles can offer even wider ranges, as professionals may bill $20 to $30 per hour, and specialty practices often command rates of $25 to $38 per hour. Moreover, urgent care settings typically provide added stipends for longer shifts, rewarding medical assistants with an extra $50 to $150 per shift. Variability in hourly rates across different employer types—ranging from primary care offices to corporate occupational health clinics—can create a significant trade-off between higher pay without benefits compared to a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance. Understanding this landscape can aid medical assistants in Toms River during negotiations and career decisions, especially as more professionals consider the benefits of specialization and credentialing through recognized bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT.
More salary data for Toms River, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Toms River in 2026?
How much do part-time medical assistants make in Toms River?
Are medical assistants in Toms River paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical assistant make per year in Toms River?
Do medical assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Toms River?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Toms River. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Toms River 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