Healthcare Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Medical Assistant Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median medical assistant salary in Reading, PA is $34,826 per year, which is 9% below the national median and 8.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$34,826
vs State Avg
$-3,061
vs National
$-3,444
Cost of Living
88%

Medical Assistant Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median medical assistant salary of $34,826, which is $3,061 below the Pennsylvania state average of $37,887. Compared to the national median of $38,270, Reading pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Reading's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $34,826 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $39,575 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for medical assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical assistants in Reading spans from $26,754 at the 10th percentile to $47,320 at the 90th percentile — a $20,566 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,300, while senior medical assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $43,680. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Medical Assistant Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $27,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $43,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,300
$-2,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$34,580
$-3,420 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$43,680
$-4,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $26,754
25th Percentile $30,212
Median (50th) $34,826
75th Percentile $40,768
90th Percentile $47,320

Medical Assistant Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$40,184
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$37,122
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$36,739
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$33,295
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Reading

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Reading and the surrounding Pennsylvania area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Vital SignsPatient PrepMedical TerminologyEMR SystemsPhlebotomyScheduling

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Reading may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Reading

Browse open medical assistant positions in Reading, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Reading

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $34,826 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $26,754 (10th percentile) to $47,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,826, a medical assistant in Reading earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Reading's median medical assistant salary of $34,826 is 8.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $37,887. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Reading, PA? ▼
Reading has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a medical assistant salary of $34,826 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Reading? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Reading require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Vital Signs, Patient Prep, Medical Terminology, EMR Systems. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.