As of May 2009, medical assistants in Illinois received an average annual salary of $30,340 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At that time, salaries across the United States averaged $29,450, which was 3 percent below the Illinois average. The amount earned by medical assistants across Illinois varied greatly, with only a small portion of the state meeting or exceeding the average wage.
Northeastern Illinois
The metropolitan area comprised of Chicago, Naperville and Joliet featured the highest average annual salary for medical assistants at $31,360 as of May 2009, said the BLS. The cities were the second highest-paying metropolitan area in Illinois. Throughout the rest of the northeastern region, salaries generally met or exceeded the Illinois average. Medical assistants in the Kankakee and Bradley area made an average of $30,810 per year, while those in the Lake County metropolitan area averaged $30,010.
Central Illinois
Medical assistants in Peoria received the highest average annual wage statewide at $33,230 as of May 2009, reports the BLS. In the remainder of central Illinois' metropolitan areas, salaries for assistants were 2 to 21 percent below the statewide average. In Bloomington, medical assistants made an average of $29,650 per year, while those in Springfield averaged $29,090. The city of Danville featured the lowest yearly average wage for medical assistants statewide at $23,990.
Other Metropolitan Areas
In the metropolitan areas outside of northeastern and central Illinois, salaries for medical assistants were as much as 10 percent below the statewide average as of May 2009, according to the BLS. The lowest-paying city among these areas was the Illinois suburb of St. Louis, Mo., where medical assistants made an average of $27,280 per year. In Moline and Rock Island, medical assistants received an average of $27,480 annually. Those in Rockport earned an average of $30,290, slightly less than the Illinois average.
Rural Areas
Salaries for medical assistants in Illinois' rural areas were 12 to 17 percent below the statewide average wage as of May 2009, reports the BLS. Wages were highest in the nonmetropolitan areas of southern Illinois, where medical assistants earned an average of $26,710 per year. Medical assistants in the rural areas of eastern Central Illinois earned the least at an average of $25,250 annually.
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