Medical Assistant.
Philadelphia.
$43,000
median salary, 13% above the national average
$36,000 to $52,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Medical Assistant in Philadelphia earns a median of $43,000 in 2026. That is 13% above the national average. The range runs from $36,000 to $52,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Certification status is the largest pay differentiator, with CMA and RMA credentials adding 10 to 15% over uncertified MAs.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $39,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$28,000
to $34,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$37,000
to $45,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$47,000
to $56,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$54,000
to $67,000
Salary trend
+2% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $9,000 to the total package.
Base
$43,000
Equity
$5,000
Bonus
$3,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $52,000
How Philadelphia compares
Philadelphia, PA
$43,000
Cost of living: 9% above average
National Average
$38,000
Philadelphia is $5,000 above
Medical Assistant salary by city
Salary by role in Philadelphia
What you should know
The Medical Assistant landscape in Philadelphia is not what most salary sites will tell you. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The city's pharmaceutical corridor is among the strongest in the country. Tech growth has accelerated, particularly in health tech and enterprise software, offering salaries that stretch further than in nearby New York. Certification status is the largest pay differentiator, with CMA and RMA credentials adding 10 to 15% over uncertified MAs. Specialty practices like dermatology, orthopedics, and cardiology pay more than general primary care. Urban areas and hospital-owned practices consistently offer higher wages than rural independent clinics.
Entry-level MAs start at $30,000 to $34,000 without certification. Certified MAs with three to five years of experience earn $38,000 to $44,000. Lead MAs or clinical supervisors overseeing support staff can reach $46,000 to $55,000 in larger practices or health systems. In Philadelphia, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Medical assistants typically receive health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan access. Some employers offer tuition assistance for nursing or allied health programs, which adds long-term value beyond the base salary. And on the tax side: pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When someone quotes you $43,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. The range for Medical Assistants in Philadelphia runs from $36,000 to $52,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Customer Service Representative in Philadelphia earns $44,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Philadelphia is Chief AI Officer at $341,000
Common questions.
Medical Assistant salary in other cities
Other salaries in Philadelphia
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