Medical Assistant Salary in 2026
Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings, taking vital signs, scheduling appointments, and assisting with medical procedures.
Median Salary
$45,690
$3,808/mo
Entry Level
$36,300
starting pay
Senior Level
$55,100
experienced
Job Growth
+14%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092) at a national median of $45,690 per year (mean $46,120), or $21.97 per hour, with 817,870 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Medical Assistant Overview
Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings, taking vital signs, scheduling appointments, and assisting with medical procedures.
Education
Certificate
Experience
0-1 year
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
818K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$21.97/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,808
Medical Assistant Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Medical Assistant salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Medical Assistant Salary
$49,000
$4,083/month · $1,885/biweekly · $23.56/hr
Medical Assistant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Medical Assistant field.
Entry-level Medical Assistants earn around $36,300, while the top 10% earn $60,350 or more.
Top Paying States for Medical Assistants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $54,000 | +$8,310 |
| New York | $53,000 | +$7,310 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,000 | +$310 |
| Texas | $45,000 | $-690 |
| Florida | $45,000 | $-690 |
Top Paying Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $48,370 | +$2,680 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $47,760 | +$2,070 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $45,890 | +$200 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $44,930 | $-760 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $42,110 | $-3,580 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Medical Assistants in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Medical Assistant Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Medical Assistant.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Medical Assistant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Medical Assistant from entry level to expert.
$36,300
0-2 years
$46,000
3-7 years
$55,100
8-14 years
$65,600
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Medical Assistant Salary FAQ
How much does a Medical Assistant make in 2026?
The median salary for a Medical Assistant in the United States is $45,690 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092); the mean is $46,120. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $36,300, senior professionals around $55,100, and top earners at $65,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Medical Assistant?
A Medical Assistant typically requires a Certificate with 0-1 year of experience. Key skills include Vital Signs, Phlebotomy, EHR. Relevant certifications such as CMA or RMA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Medical Assistants?
The job market for Medical Assistants is projected to grow by 14% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 818K Medical Assistant positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 8%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Medical Assistants the most?
The highest-paying states for Medical Assistants include California, Texas, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $54,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Medical Assistant salary?
To increase your Medical Assistant salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Vital Signs and Phlebotomy. Pursue certifications such as CMA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-1 year of experience, you can progress from $36,300 to $55,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Medical Assistant Salary
How we calculate Medical Assistant salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $45,690, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Medical Assistants; BLS mean $46,120; BLS hourly median $21.97.
- Entry-level ($36,300) and senior-level ($55,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +14% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 817,870 Medical Assistants jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Certificate, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $45,690; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Medical Assistant compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistant job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Medical Assistant salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Vital Signs, Phlebotomy, EHR), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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