Cost of hiring a medical administrative assistant in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH
Budget above the national rate here. The median medical administrative assistant in Boston-Cambridge earned $51,600 a year in May 2025[1], 2.6% above the Massachusetts statewide median of $50,290 and 12.3% above the US median of $45,930. Nationally that is #19 of 516 areas, in the top tenth. It is the largest market for the job in Massachusetts: about 16,330 people.
BLS occupation 43-6013, area Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Boston-Cambridge against Massachusetts and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | $43,810 | $51,600 | $64,060 | |
| Massachusetts | $41,460 | $50,290 | $63,030 | |
| United States | $35,930 | $45,930 | $60,530 |
The middle half of medical administrative assistants in Boston-Cambridge earns $48,360–$59,530. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $64,060, only 1.5 times the bottom tenth, against 1.7 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read.
What to budget for a medical administrative assistant here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,810 | $3,651 | $21.06 | $62,586 |
| 25th percentile | $48,360 | $4,030 | $23.25 | $69,086 |
| Median | $51,600 | $4,300 | $24.81 | $73,714 |
| 75th percentile | $59,530 | $4,961 | $28.62 | $85,043 |
| 90th percentile | $64,060 | $5,338 | $30.80 | $91,514 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $3,240 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $7,930, or about $11,329 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Boston-Cambridge
At the $51,600 median, a local hire costs about $73,714 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $22,114 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for medical administrative assistants we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Boston-Cambridge
Of the 17 roles we track in Boston-Cambridge, this one ranks #14 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $114,990 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,930.
| Role | Median | vs medical administrative assistant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +122.8% | 18,840 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +98.4% | 32,310 | |
| Accountant | +94.1% | 37,150 | |
| Recruiter | +74.9% | 21,770 | |
| Executive Assistant | +65.2% | 11,290 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +61.7% | 25,310 | |
| Paralegal | +54.7% | 6,300 | |
| Office Manager | +51.1% | 25,630 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +29.7% | 2,500 | |
| Bookkeeper | +18.1% | 21,170 | |
| Administrative Assistant | +15.0% | 28,540 | |
| HR Assistant | +11.3% | 1,150 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | +6.8% | 1,100 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | this role | 16,330 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -3.3% | 37,780 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -7.7% | 1,460 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -14.9% | 14,320 |
Other areas in Massachusetts
Across the 7 areas of Massachusetts with data for this job, the median runs from $47,290 in Worcester to $51,940 in Barnstable Town, a gap of $4,650 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Boston-Cambridge | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | +0.7% | 560 | |
| Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH | this area | 16,330 | |
| Massachusetts (Nonmetro) | -0.3% | 180 | |
| Pittsfield, MA | -5.2% | 530 | |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | -7.2% | 320 | |
| Springfield, MA | -7.4% | 1,030 | |
| Worcester, MA | -8.4% | 2,860 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a medical administrative assistant in Boston-Cambridge, MA-NH?
About $73,714 a year at the median, or $6,143 a month: $51,600 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for medical administrative assistants in Boston-Cambridge?
The median was $51,600 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $43,810, the 90th $64,060, and the middle half earned $48,360 to $59,530.
Is Boston-Cambridge cheaper than the rest of Massachusetts for medical administrative assistants?
No, it costs more: a median of $51,600 against $50,290 statewide. Barnstable Town pays the most ($51,940) and Worcester the least ($47,290).
How many medical administrative assistants work in Boston-Cambridge?
BLS counts about 16,330 in the May 2025 survey.
Does a medical administrative assistant cost more than a customer support specialist in Boston-Cambridge?
Yes: $1,680 a year more at the median. The medians are $51,600 and $49,920.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-6013: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436013.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.