How does a Medical Assistant's salary in Dayton compare to the rest of Ohio?

Dayton's cost of living index is 83 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Medical Assistant earning the city-adjusted median of $34,860 earns $19,740 less than the median household income in Dayton ($54,600).

Medical Assistant Salary in Dayton, OH — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Dayton's cost of living (index: 83). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Medical Assistant Salary in Dayton — Key Numbers

$34,860

Median Salary

$29,847

25th Percentile

$41,143

75th Percentile

$48,007

90th Percentile

National median (Medical Assistant)$42,000

vs. National median-17.0%

Dayton median household income$54,600

vs. City household income-36.2%

Cost of Living in Dayton

Cost of Living Index

83(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$875/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio30.1%

Annual rent cost$10,500

Median Home Price$170,000

Home Price / Salary4.9×

20% Down Payment$34,000

Years to save (20% rate)4.9 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Dayton

4.7%

Unemployment Rate

820,000

Metro Population

22 min

Avg Commute

36.4

Median Age

Dayton has a metro population of 820,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.7% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Dayton

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Cost of Living — Dayton

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Medical Assistant Salary in Ohio

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Dayton

Physician$190,319 Chief Executive Officer$174,300 Dentist$145,673 IT Manager$140,693 Marketing Manager$130,825 Lawyer$120,981

Medical Assistant Salary — Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH$37,800 Cleveland, OH$35,700 Cincinnati, OH$38,220 Akron, OH$34,860 Toledo, OH$33,600

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Dayton, OH?

The estimated median salary for a Medical Assistant in Dayton is $34,860 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $42,000 adjusted by Dayton's cost of living index (83). The typical salary range runs from $29,847 (25th percentile) to $41,143 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $48,007.

Is Dayton affordable for a Medical Assistant?

On a $34,860 annual salary, a Medical Assistant in Dayton would spend approximately 30.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($875/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $170,000 is 4.9× the annual salary.

How does a Medical Assistant's salary compare to Dayton's overall income?

Dayton's median household income is $54,600. A Medical Assistant earning the city-adjusted median of $34,860 earns 36.2% less than the typical Dayton household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Dayton has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Explore More Salary Data

Medical Assistant — National Medical Assistant in Ohio All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.