Medical Assistant Salary in Portland, ME: $50,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Portland, ME earns a median $50,952/year (≈ $24.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $50,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Portland, ME is anticipated to reach a median of $50,952, representing a notable increase compared to the national figure of $47,961. Those working in this field will see a salary range from $43,132 at the lower end to $64,084 for those in the top 10%. This projection draws from 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlights how a bilingual premium can significantly shift compensation dynamics, particularly in Portland’s diverse healthcare market. Employers seeking medical assistants often prefer candidates fluent in languages such as Spanish or Mandarin, enhancing both access to care and overall workplace effectiveness. As Portland's healthcare landscape evolves, the demand for qualified medical assistants will continue to reflect these salary variations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,132 | $20.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,108 | $23.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,952 | $24.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,051 | $27.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,084 | $30.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,952 (2026 est.). At $50,952, the local median is 6.24% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Portland median: $50,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $47,753 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +6.24% more |
Medical Assistants in Portland, ME earn a median of $50,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 6.70% above the Maine state average of $47,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,952 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,023 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,320
2025 BLS Actual
$48,540
2026 Current Est.
$50,952
2019–2027 Growth
+32.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 20.4% from $40,320 (2019) to $48,540 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,165 (32.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $43,132 – $48,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,108 – $50,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,952 – $57,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,051 – $64,084 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Portland
With approximately 1,880 medical assistants currently employed in the Portland area, the local job market remains strong, boasting an annual growth rate of 4.97%. However, the cost of living index sits at 101.858, which could impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power for employees. In terms of compensation, primary care physician offices and urgent care chains, like CityMD and MedExpress, typically offer competitive salaries, but specialty practices, such as dermatology and cardiology, tend to pay significantly more. Factors like bilingual capabilities, additional certifications in areas such as phlebotomy or EKG, and the shift differentials common in urgent care settings contribute to the broad disparity between the lower and upper salary ranges. For aspiring medical assistants in Portland, acquiring relevant certifications and seeking employment in higher-paying specialties or bilingual positions are effective strategies for maximizing their earning potential in this thriving market.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 $48,540 for medical assistantsin the Portland 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
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