Medical Assistant Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $45,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $45,169/year (≈ $21.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $46,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Arlington Heights, Illinois, can expect a median annual pay of $45,169, which is slightly below the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $37,179 at the lower end (P10) to $59,302 at the high end (P90), indicating a diverse salary structure likely influenced by the types of practices and healthcare settings available. Specialty practices, particularly in dermatology and orthopedic fields, can often pay 20-40% more than positions in primary care settings. This salary projection, derived from 2025 BLS data, highlights the competitive landscape in Arlington Heights, where job opportunities may be tied closely to the growing demand for skilled medical assistants in both urgent care and specialty clinics.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,179 | $17.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,848 | $18.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,169 | $21.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,219 | $23.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,302 | $28.51 |
Median Salary Position
5.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,123 (2026 est.). At $45,169, the local median is 5.82% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $45,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $45,903 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -5.82% less |
Medical Assistants in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $45,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.82% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $45,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $45,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,518 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,774
2025 BLS Actual
$43,030
2026 Current Est.
$45,169
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,774 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,763 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,025 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,042 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,555 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,134 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $32,774 (2019) to $43,030 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,639 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,179 – $38,848 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,848 – $45,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,169 – $49,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,219 – $59,302 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Arlington Heights
The local job market in Arlington Heights features about 18 medical assistants, reflecting a robust demand for healthcare professionals in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, salaries in this market offer relatively good purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among various employers, specialty practices such as cardiology and OB-GYN clinics tend to lead in compensation, often attracting top talent with their generous pay structures. Factors contributing to the salary variations include certifications, bilingual skills, and the complexity of assistance required in different medical fields. To maximize pay, aspiring medical assistants should consider earning additional certifications in phlebotomy or EKG and seek employment in high-demand specialty practices, which can significantly elevate earning potential within the Arlington Heights IL healthcare sector.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $43,030 for medical assistantsin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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