Medical Assistant Salary in Onalaska, WI: $51,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Onalaska, WI earns a median $51,019/year (≈ $24.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $54,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical assistants in Onalaska, Wisconsin can expect to see a median annual salary of $51,019 in 2026, which is approximately 6.38% higher than the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role spans from $41,792 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $60,024 for those in the upper echelons of the field (90th percentile). These figures represent local estimations based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, reflecting the growing demand for medical assistants in the area. With a diverse population, Onalaska's job market rewards bilingual medical assistants, enhancing their earning potential in this competitive field.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,792 | $20.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,329 | $21.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,019 | $24.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,082 | $25.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,024 | $28.86 |
Median Salary Position
6.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,232 (2026 est.). At $51,019, the local median is 6.38% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $51,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $50,614 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +6.38% more |
Medical Assistants in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $51,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 0.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $50,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $51,019 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,019
2025 BLS Actual
$48,603
2026 Current Est.
$51,019
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,678 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $37,019 (2019) to $48,603 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,535 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $41,792 – $45,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,329 – $51,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,019 – $52,082 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,082 – $60,024 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Onalaska
In terms of employment dynamics, Onalaska currently has four medical assistants, indicating a small but specialized workforce. The cost of living index in this area sits at 93.4, which means salaries stretch further compared to national averages, positively impacting take-home pay. Among local employers, those in specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics tend to offer higher compensation than primary care facilities or urgent care centers. The disparity in wages is influenced by factors like specialty certification, bilingual capabilities, and additional skills such as phlebotomy or EKG training. Those aiming to boost their medical assistant pay in Onalaska should consider acquiring diverse certifications and pursue opportunities in high-demand specialties or urgent care settings, which often provide premium pay for skilled professionals.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
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 $48,603 for medical assistantsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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