Healthcare trades
medical assistant salary in Rhode Island
The median medical assistant in Rhode Island earns $47,190 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 3% above the national median of $45,690, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $56,840.
STATE MEDIAN
$47,190
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$56,840
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
3,210
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
+3%
Above national median
What do medical assistants earn in Rhode Island?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$39,280
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$45,370
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$47,190
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$48,630
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$56,840
Top earning range
How does Rhode Island compare to national earnings?
Rhode Island pays 3% above the national median for medical assistants. That can create more room for training debt, but only if program cost stays controlled and the wage premium holds in the part of the state where you plan to work.
Rhode Island
$47,190
State median annual wage
National median
$45,690
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a medical assistant in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, most medical assistants start through community college, certificate programs, and employer-linked clinical or salon training. Compare tuition, required hours, licensing steps, and how quickly the program gets you into paid work. Rhode Island may involve state board rules, national exam expectations, or employer preference for accredited programs. Check the state licensing board and local employer postings before you choose a program.
Lowest debt path
Apprenticeship, community college, or employer-sponsored training usually keeps borrowing pressure lowest. That matters more than raw starting pay if you are comparing a free path against a private program.
What to verify before enrolling
Check tuition, licensing hours, exam pass rates, employer placement, and how quickly the program gets you to a paid job in Rhode Island.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Rhode Island?
The 8% rule says a monthly student loan payment should ideally stay below 8% of gross monthly income.
For a community college style path with an illustrative $10,000 of training debt, a simple 10-year repayment schedule lands near $83 a month. Against a median gross monthly income of $3,933 in Rhode Island, that works out to about 2.1%.
This is an illustrative midpoint between a free apprenticeship path and a higher-cost private program. Your exact result depends on tuition, grants, and how long you stay in school.
What else should you read next?
Healthcare trades guide
Read the full healthcare trades guide for training paths, debt ranges, and employer context.
medical assistant salary in Texas
Compare this trade in Texas against Rhode Island.
dental hygienist salary in Rhode Island
See how a related trade in the same cluster pays in the same state.
Trade comparison methodology
See how CollegeLens sources BLS wages, training-cost ranges, and debt-to-income examples.
Common questions about medical assistant pay in Rhode Island
What is the average medical assistant salary in Rhode Island?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $47,190 for medical assistants in Rhode Island, with the top 10% above $56,840.
Is medical assistant a good career in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island currently has 3,210 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $47,190.
How do you become a medical assistant in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, most medical assistants start through community college, certificate programs, and employer-linked clinical or salon training. Compare tuition, required hours, licensing steps, and how quickly the program gets you into paid work. Rhode Island may involve state board rules, national exam expectations, or employer preference for accredited programs. Check the state licensing board and local employer postings before you choose a program.
Where does Rhode Island rank for medical assistant earnings?
Rhode Island is above the national median for this trade. State median: $47,190. National median: $45,690.
What does medical assistant training cost in Rhode Island?
Training cost depends on the path. Apprenticeship can be near $0 out of pocket while you earn. Community college programs often land in the low thousands. Private trade school and certificate routes can be much higher. Always compare program cost against expected earnings in Rhode Island.