Medical Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?
Medical Assistants earn a median annual salary of $44,200 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,020 at the 10th percentile to $57,830 at the 90th percentile — a range of $22,810. The highest-paying state is Washington at $55,120.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,020 |
| 25th percentile | $37,610 |
| Median (50th) | $44,200 |
| 75th percentile | $48,160 |
| 90th percentile | $57,830 |
Medical Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $55,120 |
| Alaska | $51,860 |
| Oregon | $49,900 |
| District of Columbia | $49,740 |
| Minnesota | $49,380 |
| Hawaii | $48,820 |
| Massachusetts | $48,540 |
| California | $48,050 |
| New Hampshire | $48,040 |
| Wisconsin | $47,610 |
| Colorado | $47,270 |
| Maine | $46,540 |
| Connecticut | $46,500 |
| New Jersey | $46,280 |
| Nebraska | $46,080 |
| New York | $46,040 |
| Rhode Island | $45,820 |
| Illinois | $45,490 |
| Montana | $45,440 |
| Arizona | $45,440 |
| Vermont | $45,330 |
| Maryland | $45,060 |
| Iowa | $43,670 |
| Nevada | $43,450 |
| Idaho | $43,400 |
| Utah | $43,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,810 |
| North Carolina | $42,600 |
| Indiana | $42,390 |
| Virginia | $42,310 |
| Delaware | $41,830 |
| Florida | $41,380 |
| North Dakota | $41,040 |
| Ohio | $40,430 |
| South Dakota | $39,350 |
| Missouri | $39,310 |
| Wyoming | $39,240 |
| Kansas | $39,090 |
| Georgia | $39,000 |
| New Mexico | $39,000 |
| Texas | $38,930 |
| Michigan | $38,840 |
| South Carolina | $38,820 |
| Kentucky | $38,750 |
| Tennessee | $38,150 |
| Oklahoma | $37,580 |
| Arkansas | $37,150 |
| Louisiana | $35,870 |
| West Virginia | $35,860 |
| Alabama | $34,980 |
| Mississippi | $34,800 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Medical Assistants
Medical Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,020 – $37,610 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$44,200 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,160 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $57,830+ |
How to Earn More as a Medical Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Medical Assistants in Vallejo, CA earn $75,180 — $30,980 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,160) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Medical Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistantthis career | $44,200 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,210 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Medical Assistant requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 31-9092.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.