Average Medical Assistant Salary
What is a Medical Assistant's Salary?
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $34,553 | $2,879 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Average Medical Assistant Salary By State
The darker areas on the map show where medical assistants earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
- State View
- County View
Medical Assistant average salary by State
| State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,798 | $12.88 | 969 |
| Alaska | $44,376 | $21.33 | 211 |
| Arizona | $34,392 | $16.53 | 1,740 |
| Arkansas | $29,809 | $14.33 | 824 |
| California | $39,502 | $18.99 | 5,933 |
| Colorado | $34,941 | $16.80 | 1,667 |
| Connecticut | $37,691 | $18.12 | 1,273 |
| Delaware | $33,708 | $16.21 | 312 |
| District of Columbia | $40,068 | $19.26 | 228 |
| Florida | $31,540 | $15.16 | 5,916 |
| Georgia | $31,165 | $14.98 | 3,075 |
| Hawaii | $38,226 | $18.38 | 204 |
| Idaho | $33,710 | $16.21 | 526 |
| Illinois | $35,303 | $16.97 | 3,426 |
| Indiana | $32,889 | $15.81 | 2,586 |
| Iowa | $34,348 | $16.51 | 1,042 |
| Kansas | $31,327 | $15.06 | 907 |
| Kentucky | $31,525 | $15.16 | 1,245 |
| Louisiana | $28,950 | $13.92 | 901 |
| Maine | $39,662 | $19.07 | 612 |
| Maryland | $34,351 | $16.51 | 1,920 |
| Massachusetts | $39,464 | $18.97 | 3,123 |
| Michigan | $34,534 | $16.60 | 2,527 |
| Minnesota | $38,205 | $18.37 | 2,322 |
| Mississippi | $29,514 | $14.19 | 447 |
| Missouri | $32,247 | $15.50 | 1,668 |
| Montana | $32,771 | $15.76 | 336 |
| Nebraska | $31,972 | $15.37 | 606 |
| Nevada | $33,816 | $16.26 | 458 |
| New Hampshire | $36,737 | $17.66 | 630 |
| New Jersey | $34,905 | $16.78 | 1,999 |
| New Mexico | $31,056 | $14.93 | 420 |
| New York | $37,016 | $17.80 | 3,798 |
| North Carolina | $33,138 | $15.93 | 2,704 |
| North Dakota | $35,501 | $17.07 | 216 |
| Ohio | $32,496 | $15.62 | 3,165 |
| Oklahoma | $28,964 | $13.93 | 771 |
| Oregon | $42,457 | $20.41 | 997 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,531 | $15.64 | 3,823 |
| Rhode Island | $37,628 | $18.09 | 379 |
| South Carolina | $29,636 | $14.25 | 1,129 |
| South Dakota | $30,675 | $14.75 | 242 |
| Tennessee | $29,953 | $14.40 | 1,477 |
| Texas | $31,472 | $15.13 | 4,397 |
| Utah | $33,059 | $15.89 | 788 |
| Vermont | $46,895 | $22.55 | 196 |
| Virginia | $32,484 | $15.62 | 2,078 |
| Washington | $44,716 | $21.50 | 2,682 |
| West Virginia | $27,269 | $13.11 | 617 |
| Wisconsin | $36,510 | $17.55 | 1,844 |
| Wyoming | $33,219 | $15.97 | 107 |
How much should you get paid?
Tell us about yourself to get a free, personalized Zippia Salary Report and suggestions on how to increase your pay.
Highest Paying Cities For Medical Assistant
| City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $45,223 | $21.74 |
| Portland, OR | $42,459 | $20.41 |
| Washington, DC | $40,066 | $19.26 |
| Portland, ME | $39,699 | $19.09 |
| Worcester, MA | $39,547 | $19.01 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $39,190 | $18.84 |
And if you’re looking for a high-paying job, here are jobs in the top places hiring now:
How much does a Medical Assistant make?
Average Medical Assistant Salary Over Time
Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Medical Assistant Salary By Year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $34,600 | $16.61 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $33,500 | $16.13 | +3.4% |
| 2020 | $32,400 | $15.57 | +3.4% |
| 2019 | $31,300 | $15.05 | +2.9% |
| 2018 | $30,400 | $14.61 | +3.0% |
Average JOB Salary by Field
Avg. salary: $63,933
Avg. salary: $32,946
Avg. salary: $38,860
Average Salary By Related Field
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Internship | $63,933 | $5,328 | $30.74 | 156,611 |
| Medical Scribe | $32,946 | $2,746 | $15.84 | 85,204 |
| Medical Assisting Extern | $38,860 | $3,238 | $18.68 | 184,536 |
Find High Paying Jobs Near You
Medical Assistant Jobs You Might Like
- High Paying Medical Assistant Jobs - $43K and Up
- Work From Home Medical Assistant Jobs
- Entry Level Medical Assistant Jobs
- Part Time Medical Assistant Jobs
- Actively Hiring
- No Degree Medical Assistant Jobs
And if you're looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:
Medical Assistant Salaries By Years Of Experience
Medical Assistant Salary By Experience Level
| Experience Level | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $30,200 | $14.53 |
| Mid Level | $31,500 | $15.16 |
| Senior Level | $35,700 | $17.19 |
Which Companies Pay Medical Assistants The Most?
Highest Paying Companies For Medical Assistants
| Rank | Company | Zippia Score | Average Medical Assistant Salary | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $66,062 | |||
| 2 | $64,281 | |||
| 3 | $63,473 | |||
| 4 | $58,059 | |||
| 5 | $57,186 | |||
| 6 | $56,650 |
And if you're looking for a job, here are the five top employers hiring now:
How much should you get paid?
Tell us about yourself to get a free, personalized Zippia Salary Report and suggestions on how to increase your pay.
Recently Added Medical Assistant Salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date Added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Maintenance Manager In Austin, Texas | Certified Medical Assistant-Pediatric Health (Bilingual) | Austin, TX | 01/31/2022 | $33,914 |
| University of Colorado | Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)-Obgyn-South Metro, Highlands Ranch | Aurora, CO | 01/31/2022 | $41,740 |
| Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood | Certified Medical Assistant (MA-C Signing Bonus | Bellingham, WA | 01/30/2022 | $37,566 |
| Suny Upstate Medical University | Medical Assistants | Syracuse, NY | 01/30/2022 | $35,528 |
| Planned Parenthood of The Pacific Southwest | Medical Assistant Flex-Mira Mesa (Spanish/English or Vietnamese/English Bilingual Required) | San Diego, CA | 01/30/2022 | $40,175 |
| Aledade | Medical Assistant/Medical Receptionist | Princeton, WV | 01/30/2022 | $20,870 |
| Hackensack Meridian Health | Covid Testing Site Certified Medical Assistant-Northern NJ | Hackensack, NJ | 01/30/2022 | $52,175 |
| Mediquest Staffing | Medical Assistant | Scottsdale, AZ | 01/30/2022 | $33,392 |
| University of Iowa | Medical Assistant II-Uicc Float/Outreach-Muscatine) | Iowa City, IA | 01/30/2022 | $35,589 |
| Meridian Health Services | Covid Testing Site Certified Medical Assistant-Northern NJ | Hackensack, NJ | 01/30/2022 | $52,175 |
Average Medical Assistant Salary by Demographic
Medical Assistant Gender Pay Gap
| Gender | Income |
|---|---|
| Male | $35,100 |
| Female | $34,379 |
Medical Assistant Income by Race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| White | $34,455 |
| Black or African American | $34,578 |
| Asian | $36,035 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $34,408 |
Medical Assistant Salary by Education Level
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $34,379 |
| Master's Degree | $43,893 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $35,187 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $34,551 |
Medical Assistant Salaries FAQs
What is a good starting salary for a Medical Assistant?
A good starting salary for a medical assistant is $27,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a medical assistant in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for medical assistants is $34,553, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a medical assistant can vary by state.
Can you live off a medical assistant salary?
Yes, you can live off a medical assistant salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, medical assistants earned an average salary of $36,930 per year ($17.75 an hour). The range of income varies by state and time spent in the position. Salaries reported for medical assistants range between $29,000 - $50,000.
A living wage is an income level that allows individuals or families to afford adequate shelter, food, and other necessities. The standard for a living wage suggests that no more than 30% of your income be spent on rent or a mortgage. A living wage can vary based on location.
Do medical assistants get paid well?
Yes, medical assistants get paid well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, medical assistants earned an average salary of $36,930 per year ($17.75 per hour). The range of income varies by location and time spent in the position. Salaries reported for medical assistants range between $29,000 - $50,000
The demand and salary for medical assistants have only become stronger. Some programs to become a medical assistant only last six weeks and lead to secure employment; other programs like an Associates's Degree may take up to two years.
There are both clinical medical assistants working alongside physicians or nurses and administrative medical assistants working at the front end in the office focusing on billing or office work.
How much should a medical assistant make an hour?
Medical assistants make $17.75 an hour, on average. This ranges between $16 to $18 dollars, with some entry-level jobs offering as little as $12 dollars to start.
Pay also vary based on background education, location, certifications, and work experience. There are additional increases for working overtime or night shift.
The current job growth for medical assistants is at 19%, faster than the national average. Medical Assistants (MA) tend to have more professional opportunities for advancement, and they aren't required to be certified. The average salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $36,930.