Medical Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Medical Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $47,190 a year ($22.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,840 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $45,690. Rhode Island ranks 18th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 6.4 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,280 | $18.89 |
| 25th percentile | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Median | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 75th percentile | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Average (mean) | $47,550 | $22.86 |
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 | $3,932.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,966.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,815 |
| Weekly | $907.50 |
| Hourly | $22.69 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $47,020 | 4,120 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Massage Therapist | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Orderly | $39,830 | $19.15 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for medical assistants in Rhode Island is $47,190 a year, or $22.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $56,840 a year. The top 25% earn $48,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,280 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $45,370 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Rhode Island?
About 3,210 medical assistants are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.