Medical Assistant Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $46,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $46,544/year (≈ $22.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $48,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, medical assistants in Cincinnati, Ohio, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $46,544, which is slightly below the projected national median of $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants in this area is projected to fall between $37,810 at the 10th percentile and $52,286 at the 90th percentile. Data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that this market offers diverse opportunities, particularly for bilingual candidates who often command a premium due to their ability to communicate with a broader patient base. As healthcare continues to evolve in Cincinnati, the demand for medical assistants—capable of fitting into various roles from primary care to specialized practices—remains strong.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,036 | $19.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,544 | $22.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,325 | $23.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,286 | $25.14 |
Median Salary Position
2.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,476 (2026 est.). At $46,544, the local median is 2.95% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be above the median
How Cincinnati Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $46,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $45,320 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.95% less |
Medical Assistants in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $46,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.95% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.70% above the Ohio state average of $45,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,544 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,804 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,870
2025 BLS Actual
$44,340
2026 Current Est.
$46,544
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,857 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 27.2% from $34,870 (2019) to $44,340 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,857 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,987 (40.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $37,810 – $40,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,036 – $46,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,544 – $49,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,325 – $52,286 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Cincinnati
With around 5,560 medical assistants currently employed in Cincinnati, the local job market for this profession shows a solid growth trajectory, estimated at an annual rate of 4.97%. The cost of living in Cincinnati, with an index of 95.37, suggests that workers can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Compensation varies significantly among employers, with specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics generally offering higher pay than primary care offices and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress. Factors such as specialization, bilingual skills, additional certifications, and experience all contribute to the pay differential. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT, and gaining experience in high-demand specialties can greatly enhance a medical assistant's compensation potential in Cincinnati, OH.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 $44,340 for medical assistantsin the Cincinnati 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