Medical Assistant Salary in Waltham, MA: $48,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Waltham, MA earns a median $48,912/year (≈ $23.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $45,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Waltham, Massachusetts, offers a competitive medical assistant salary, with a median annual income projected at $48,912 for 2026. This figure positions local compensation slightly above the national median of $47,961, highlighting the area’s diverse market. Medical assistants in Waltham can expect to earn between $39,390 and $63,128, depending on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adapted for regional cost factors, reflect a job market where bilingual skills can command a premium, especially in a multicultural community like Waltham. As the healthcare demands grow, particularly in bilingual environments, the financial benefits for medical assistants become more evident.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,415 | $19.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,912 | $23.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,716 | $25.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,128 | $30.35 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,738 (2026 est.). At $48,912, the local median is 1.98% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Waltham median: $48,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $50,269 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +1.98% more |
Medical Assistants in Waltham, MA earn a median of $48,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $50,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,912 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,080 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,490
2025 BLS Actual
$46,596
2026 Current Est.
$48,912
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,561 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,927 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,029 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,596 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $35,490 (2019) to $46,596 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,853 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $39,390 – $41,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,415 – $48,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,912 – $53,716 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,716 – $63,128 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Waltham
Among the 11 medical assistants employed in Waltham, the local job market shows promise for those pursuing this career path. The cost of living index is notably above the national average at 108.5, which can influence how far salaries stretch for take-home purchasing power. Key employers that tend to offer the highest pay include urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress, as well as specialty practices in fields such as dermatology and orthopedics. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the specialty practiced, additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG, and demand for multilingual skills (particularly in Spanish and Mandarin). To maximize earnings in the medical assistant role in Waltham, pursuing further certifications and focusing on specialty practices can be advantageous strategies for professionals looking to enhance their positions.
More salary data for Waltham, MA:
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 $46,596 for medical assistantsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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