Medical Assistant salary in Illinois
Medical Assistants in Illinois earn a median of $46,090 a year ($22.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,590 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $45,690. Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 3.3 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $45,770, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Median | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| 75th percentile | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,590 | $27.21 |
| Average (mean) | $45,770 | $22.01 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,840.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,920.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,772.69 |
| Weekly | $886.35 |
| Hourly | $22.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $47,270 | 15,640 |
| Springfield, IL | $45,140 | 790 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $44,710 | 6,170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $44,700 | 840 |
| Peoria, IL | $44,680 | 710 |
| Rockford, IL | $44,390 | 690 |
| Decatur, IL | $43,060 | 130 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,360 | 450 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,130 | 460 |
| Kankakee, IL | $38,440 | 210 |
| Bloomington, IL | $38,070 | 230 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $37,470 | 350 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Orderly | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,650 | $17.62 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Illinois?
The median salary for medical assistants in Illinois is $46,090 a year, or $22.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Illinois?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Illinois earn at least $56,590 a year. The top 25% earn $49,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,400 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $38,970 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Illinois?
About 20,260 medical assistants are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.