Medical Assistant Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$44,000
national median salary
$38,000 to $48,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $45,690 for Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092) across the United States, based on 817,870 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$36,050
25th percentile
$38,470
Median
$45,690
75th percentile
$49,180
90th percentile
$59,310
Workers surveyed
817,870
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$44,200
May 2025 release
$45,690
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092) rather than Medical Assistantspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 31-9092Highest Paying
$62,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$46,000
San Diego, CA
Lowest Paying
$33,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 31-9092. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Medical Assistant salary in the United States at $44,000 in 2026, within a range of $38,000 to $48,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $62,000, while San Diego offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Certification status is the largest pay differentiator, with CMA and RMA credentials adding 10 to 15% over uncertified MAs.
Medical Assistant salary by city.
Skills that increase Medical Assistant pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Medical Assistants based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $6,160 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$6,160 per year
≈ +$5,720 per year
≈ +$5,280 per year
≈ +$4,840 per year
≈ +$4,840 per year
≈ +$4,400 per year
≈ +$4,400 per year
≈ +$3,960 per year
What you should know.
Certification status is the largest pay differentiator, with CMA and RMA credentials adding 10 to 15% over uncertified MAs. Specialty practices like dermatology, orthopedics, and cardiology pay more than general primary care. Urban areas and hospital-owned practices consistently offer higher wages than rural independent clinics.
Entry-level MAs start at $30,000 to $34,000 without certification. Certified MAs with three to five years of experience earn $38,000 to $44,000. Lead MAs or clinical supervisors overseeing support staff can reach $46,000 to $55,000 in larger practices or health systems.
Medical assistants typically receive health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan access. Some employers offer tuition assistance for nursing or allied health programs, which adds long-term value beyond the base salary.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Medical Assistants typically earn $40,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Medical Assistant pay.
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