Medical Assistant salary in the United States
National median pay
$45,690/year
about $21.97 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $38,470 – $49,180
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 25th | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Median (50th) | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| 75th | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| 90th (top earners) | $59,310 | $28.51 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: Sacramento ($61,970). Lowest of the cities we track: San Antonio ($39,180).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | $61,970 | $48,670 – $77,030 |
| San Jose, CA | $61,940 | $51,390 – $78,120 |
| Seattle, WA | $61,500 | $54,900 – $68,850 |
| San Francisco, CA | $59,790 | $50,120 – $77,260 |
| Portland, OR | $56,240 | $48,750 – $61,240 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $52,570 | $48,660 – $59,120 |
| Boston, MA | $50,740 | $47,950 – $59,160 |
| Denver, CO | $49,700 | $47,860 – $58,010 |
| San Diego, CA | $49,420 | $47,690 – $60,480 |
| New York, NY | $48,370 | $45,980 – $56,390 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $47,760 | $45,830 – $59,610 |
| Chicago, IL | $47,270 | $40,690 – $50,260 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $46,830 | $41,790 – $49,060 |
| Baltimore, MD | $46,790 | $40,050 – $49,370 |
| Washington, DC | $46,640 | $43,480 – $51,210 |
| Charlotte, NC | $46,520 | $39,800 – $49,010 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,060 | $38,560 – $47,610 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $45,890 | $41,630 – $47,740 |
| Austin, TX | $45,820 | $39,520 – $47,430 |
| Miami, FL | $44,930 | $37,880 – $47,150 |
| St. Louis, MO | $44,710 | $38,550 – $47,600 |
| Nashville, TN | $44,620 | $38,340 – $47,580 |
| Tampa, FL | $44,480 | $38,150 – $46,780 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $44,220 | $38,090 – $47,190 |
| Orlando, FL | $43,800 | $37,690 – $46,790 |
| Dallas, TX | $43,100 | $37,840 – $47,850 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,840 | $38,580 – $46,210 |
| Houston, TX | $42,110 | $36,670 – $46,730 |
| Detroit, MI | $39,410 | $37,590 – $45,820 |
| San Antonio, TX | $39,180 | $37,410 – $45,250 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for medical assistants, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $38,470 ($18.50/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $38,470 to $49,180 ($18.50 to $23.64/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $49,180 ($23.64/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Certification (such as CMA or RMA) can raise pay and open more roles, and some employers pay for it.
- Check whether the role is front office, back office or both, since mixed roles are often paid like single ones.
- Ask about guaranteed hours: some clinics cut hours on slow days.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.