Medical Assistant Salary in New Jersey 2025: Hourly, Monthly, and Annual Pay with Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Medical Assistant Salary in New Jersey 2025: Hourly, Monthly, and Annual Pay with Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Medical assistants are among the fastest-growing healthcare jobs in New Jersey, providing essential support to physicians, nurses, and patients. Their duties range from taking vital signs and assisting in procedures to scheduling appointments and managing medical records.
In 2025, New Jersey stands out as one of the highest-paying states for medical assistants, offering strong wages across hourly, monthly, and annual pay scales.
Average Medical Assistant Pay in New Jersey (2025)
Pay TypeAverage PayNational AverageNJ DifferenceHourly$22.36$20.19+10%Monthly$3,875$3,500+11%Annual$46,500$42,000+11%
Hourly Pay by Major NJ Cities
CityHourly Rate ($)Monthly ($)Annual ($)Jersey City23.084,00048,000Newark22.843,95847,500Edison22.603,91647,000Paterson22.123,83346,000Elizabeth21.883,79145,500Trenton21.633,75045,000Atlantic City21.393,70844,500Camden21.153,66644,000
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Hourly Pay
While raw wages are important, cost-of-living (COL) adjustments show where your money goes further.
CityHourly Rate ($)COL Index (US=100)Adjusted Hourly ($)Jersey City23.0813017.75Newark22.8412418.42Edison22.6011819.15Paterson22.1211718.90Elizabeth21.8811618.87Trenton21.6310820.02Atlantic City21.3910220.97Camden21.159921.36
Key Takeaway: High-cost cities like Jersey City and Newark offer the largest paychecks, but southern cities like Camden and Atlantic City stretch earnings further.
Salary Ranges by Career Stage
Entry-Level:
Hourly: $18.25–$20.00
Monthly: $3,166–$3,466
Annual: $38,000–$41,500
Mid-Career:
Hourly: $21.00–$23.00
Monthly: $3,640–$3,986
Annual: $43,500–$47,800
Experienced / Certified (CMA, RMA, CCMA):
Hourly: $24.00–$26.50+
Monthly: $4,160–$4,583+
Annual: $50,000–$55,000+
Why NJ Medical Assistants Earn More
Proximity to NYC & Philadelphia — Competition with higher-paying metro areas boosts NJ wages.
Strong Hospital Networks — Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas, and Atlantic Health compete for talent.
Higher Cost of Living — Employers adjust wages to offset expensive housing and transportation.
Certification Premiums — Certified MAs often earn $2–$3 more per hour.
Specialty Bonuses — Cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, and bilingual roles pay more.
Benefits Beyond Base Pay
Full-time NJ medical assistants often receive:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid vacation and sick leave
Retirement plan with employer match
Tuition reimbursement for advanced healthcare education
Overtime, weekend, and holiday shift premiums
Sign-on bonuses (up to $3,500 for certified hires)
Job Outlook in New Jersey
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12–14% job growth for medical assistants in New Jersey through 2033—much faster than average. Demand is driven by:
An aging population
Growth of urgent care and outpatient clinics
Expansion of telehealth services
How to Increase Pay
Earn certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA)
Gain specialized skills (EKG, phlebotomy, medical coding)
Target high-paying metro areas or specialty clinics
Negotiate using market wage data
Take overtime and per-diem opportunities
Final Word
In 2025, medical assistants in New Jersey enjoy strong hourly, monthly, and annual earnings—often exceeding national averages by 10–12%. However, cost-of-living differences mean where you work matters as much as your base rate.
For those aiming to maximize income, combining certification, specialized skills, and strategic location choices can push pay beyond $26 an hour, $4,500 a month, or $55,000 a year—making medical assisting a financially rewarding career in the Garden State.
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