The national median salary for Medical Assistants is $44,200 per year. But that number tells you almost nothing about what you'll actually earn because where you work, what you specialize in, and whether you're certified can swing your salary by $15,000 or more.
This guide breaks down MA salaries by specialty, state, and experience level so you can make career decisions based on real numbers.
⚡ The top 10% of Medical Assistants in the U.S. earn more than $57,830 per year. Certification, specialization, and location are the three biggest levers for getting there (BLS, 2024).
MA salary by specialty, ranked highest to lowest:
Source: Glassdoor 2024; Research.com 2024; BLS OES 2024
Top 10 highest-paying states for Medical Assistants:
Source: BLS State OES 2024; Zippia 2026; Research.com 2024
National Benchmarks: Where MA Salaries Start
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry-level) | $30,270 | $14.55/hr |
| 25th | $36,600 | $17.60/hr |
| 50th (median) | $44,200 | $21.25/hr |
| 75th | $51,500 | $24.76/hr |
| 90th (top earners) | $57,830+ | $27.80+/hr |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.
Salary by Specialty: Where Specialization Pays Off
General Medical Assistants earn the national median of $44,200. But MAs who specialize in specific clinical areas consistently earn more, sometimes significantly more. Here's the breakdown:
| Specialty | Avg. Annual Salary | Premium vs. General MA | Key Skills Required | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | ~$44,200 | Baseline | Full clinical + admin scope | BLS 2024 |
| Podiatry | ~$54,000 | +$10,000 | Wound care, orthotic fittings, and surgical prep | Glassdoor 2024 |
| Oncology | ~$54,000 | +$10,000 | Chemo monitoring (observation), port care, emotional support | Glassdoor 2024 |
| Ophthalmology | ~$50,000 | +$6,000 | Visual acuity testing, tonometry, dilation, fundus photography | Glassdoor 2024 |
| Cardiology | ~$52,000 | +$8,000 | EKG proficiency, Holter monitoring, stress test prep | Research.com 2024 |
| Dermatology | ~$48,000 | +$4,000 | Biopsy prep, cryotherapy assist, cosmetic procedure support | Glassdoor 2024 |
| Orthopedics | ~$47,000 | +$3,000 | Cast removal, splinting, surgical prep | Glassdoor 2024 |
| OB/GYN | ~$46,000 | +$2,000 | Pap smear prep, fetal monitoring, prenatal documentation | Glassdoor 2024 |
⚡Specialty MAs in Podiatry, Oncology, and Cardiology earn $8,000-$10,000 more per year than general MAs without requiring additional formal education, only specialized on-the-job training and certification (Glassdoor 2024; Research.com 2024).
Salary by Setting: Where You Work Matters
The type of facility where you work affects your paycheck as much as your specialty:
| Work setting | Average Annual Salary | % of MAs Employed | Schedule Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $51,550 | 10% | M-F, some evenings |
| Specialty Hospitals | $50,270 | 5% | Shifts, may include weekends |
| General hospitals | $45,930 | 17% | Shifts, weekends common |
| Physician Offices | $43,880 | 57% | M-F standard hours, no holidays |
| Chiropractor Offices | $37,510 | 3% | Varies |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 (via CertifiedMedicalAssistant.us, updated 2026).
Salary by State
| Rank | State | Mean Annual Salary | Average Cost of Living | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | ~$62,000 | $47,231.00 | +$14,769.00 |
| 2 | California | ~$52,770 | $53,171.00 | -$401.00 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | ~$50,000 | $53,860.00 | -$3,860.00 |
| 4 | Minnesota | ~$48,500 | $41,498.00 | +$7,002.00 |
| 5 | Oregon | ~$47,500 | $46,193.00 | +$1,307.00 |
| 6 | Alaska | ~$46,900 | $48,670.00 | -$1,770.00 |
| 7 | Connecticut | ~$47,000 | $46,912.00 | +$88.00 |
| 8 | New Jersey | ~$46,000 | $49,511.00 | -$3,511.00 |
| 9 | New York | ~$45,500 | $49,623.00 | -$4,123.00 |
| 10 | Hawaii | ~$45,000 | $55,491.00 | -$10,491.00 |
| 11 | Maryland | ~$45,200 | $48,235.00 | -$3,035.00 |
| 12 | Vermont | ~$44,800 | $43,927.00 | +$873.00 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | ~$44,600 | $44,481.00 | +$119.00 |
| 14 | Illinois | ~$44,400 | $41,395.00 | +$3,005.00 |
| 15 | Colorado | ~$44,200 | $45,931.00 | -$1,731.00 |
| 16 | Virginia | ~$44,000 | $43,067.00 | +$933.00 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | ~$43,800 | $45,575.00 | -$1,775.00 |
| 18 | Delaware | ~$43,600 | $44,389.00 | -$789.00 |
| 19 | Michigan | ~$43,400 | $37,111.00 | +$6,289.00 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | ~$43,200 | $37,374.00 | +$5,826.00 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | ~$43,000 | $40,066.00 | +$2,934.00 |
| 22 | Ohio | ~$42,800 | $35,932.00 | +$6,868.00 |
| 23 | Utah | ~$42,500 | $40,586.00 | +$1,914.00 |
| 24 | Arizona | ~$42,200 | $39,856.00 | +$2,344.00 |
| 25 | Nevada | ~$42,000 | $41,630.00 | +$370.00 |
| 26 | Texas | ~$41,800 | $37,582.00 | +$4,218.00 |
| 27 | Florida | ~$41,600 | $40,512.00 | +$1,088.00 |
| 28 | Georgia | ~$41,400 | $38,747.00 | +$2,653.00 |
| 29 | North Carolina | ~$41,200 | $36,702.00 | +$4,498.00 |
| 30 | Tennessee | ~$41,000 | $34,742.00 | +$6,258.00 |
| 31 | South Carolina | ~$40,800 | $34,826.00 | +$5,974.00 |
| 32 | Indiana | ~$40,600 | $36,207.00 | +$4,393.00 |
| 33 | Iowa | ~$40,400 | $35,871.00 | +$4,529.00 |
| 34 | Missouri | ~$40,200 | $35,338.00 | +$4,862.00 |
| 35 | Kansas | ~$40,000 | $35,185.00 | +$4,815.00 |
| 36 | Nebraska | ~$39,800 | $37,519.00 | +$2,281.00 |
| 37 | Idaho | ~$39,600 | $37,658.00 | +$1,942.00 |
| 38 | Montana | ~$39,400 | $37,328.00 | +$2,072.00 |
| 39 | Wyoming | ~$39,200 | $37,550.00 | +$1,650.00 |
| 40 | New Mexico | ~$39,000 | $34,501.00 | +$4,499.00 |
| 41 | Maine | ~$38,800 | $39,899.00 | -$1,099.00 |
| 42 | North Dakota | ~$38,600 | $35,707.00 | +$2,893.00 |
| 43 | South Dakota | ~$38,400 | $36,864.00 | +$1,536.00 |
| 44 | Louisiana | ~$38,200 | $35,576.00 | +$2,624.00 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | ~$38,000 | $33,966.00 | +$4,034.00 |
| 46 | Arkansas | ~$37,800 | $32,979.00 | +$4,821.00 |
| 47 | Kentucky | ~$37,600 | $35,508.00 | +$2,092.00 |
| 48 | Alabama | ~$37,400 | $33,654.00 | +$3,746.00 |
| 49 | Mississippi | ~$37,200 | $32,336.00 | +$4,864.00 |
| 50 | West Virginia | ~$36,900 | $34,861.00 | +$2,039.00 |
Source: BLS State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2024; Zippia 2026; Research.com 2024. Note: Washington state's premium reflects both high cost of living and a unique state certification requirement for MAs.
⚡ Washington state MAs earn 40%+ above the national median, in part because Washington is the only state that legally requires MA certification, creating a higher bar and higher compensation floor (BLS 2024; WA Department of Health).
MA Mean Annual Salary — Major U.S. Cities
Sorted high to low. Sources: BLS Metropolitan Area OES 2024; Salary.com 2026; Indeed 2024; Research.com 2026; Glassdoor 2024
| Rank | City | State | Est. Annual Salary | Est. Average Cost of Living (Single Person) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | WA | ~$53,000 | $35,772.00 | +$17,228.00 |
| 2 | San Francisco | CA | ~$52,000 | $60,615.00 | -$8,615.00 |
| 3 | San Jose | CA | ~$51,000 | $68,059.00 | -$17,059.00 |
| 4 | Los Angeles | CA | ~$51,000 | $56,361.00 | -$5,361.00 |
| 5 | Sacramento | CA | ~$50,500 | $45,727.00 | +$4,773.00 |
| 6 | San Diego | CA | ~$49,500 | $54,234.00 | -$4,734.00 |
| 7 | Boston | MA | ~$49,200 | $53,860.00 | -$4,660.00 |
| 8 | Portland | OR | ~$48,000 | $45,269.14 | +$2,730.86 |
| 9 | Minneapolis | MN | ~$48,000 | $40,668.04 | +$7,331.96 |
| 10 | Philadelphia | PA | ~$48,000 | $42,069.30 | +$5,930.70 |
| 11 | Honolulu | HI | ~$47,700 | $85,120.00 | -$37,420.00 |
| 12 | Chicago | IL | ~$47,400 | $43,050.80 | +$4,349.20 |
| 13 | Baltimore | MD | ~$47,300 | $47,752.65 | -$452.65 |
| 14 | Denver | CO | ~$46,800 | $47,768.24 | -$968.24 |
| 15 | Washington DC | DC | ~$46,000 | $42,205.66 | $3,794.34 |
| 16 | New York City | NY | ~$46,000 | $50,119.23 | -$4,119.23 |
| 17 | Detroit | MI | ~$45,900 | $36,739.89 | +$9,160.11 |
| 18 | Milwaukee | WI | ~$45,900 | $40,811.00 | +$5,089.00 |
| 19 | Houston | TX | ~$45,800 | $37,206.18 | +$8,593.82 |
| 20 | Reno | NV | ~$46,000 | $43,711.50 | +$2,288.50 |
| 21 | Las Vegas | NV | ~$44,500 | $40,381.10 | +$4,118.90 |
| 22 | Austin | TX | ~$44,400 | $38,333.64 | +$6,066.36 |
| 23 | Columbus | OH | ~$44,200 | $36,291.32 | +$7,908.68 |
| 24 | Dallas | TX | ~$44,000 | $39,461.10 | +$4,538.90 |
| 25 | Kansas City | MO | ~$43,800 | $33,571.10 | +$10,228.90 |
| 26 | Raleigh | NC | ~$43,500 | $34,499.88 | +$9,000.12 |
| 27 | Phoenix | AZ | ~$43,200 | $39,856.00 | +$3,344.00 |
| 28 | Atlanta | GA | ~$43,000 | $39,909.41 | +$3,090.59 |
| 29 | San Antonio | TX | ~$42,800 | $36,454.54 | +$6,345.46 |
| 30 | Orlando | FL | ~$42,500 | $38,081.28 | +$4,418.72 |
| 31 | Miami | FL | ~$42,200 | $50,235.00 | -$8,035.00 |
| 32 | Charlotte | NC | ~$41,800 | $37,069.02 | +$4,730.98 |
| 33 | Nashville | TN | ~$41,500 | $38,911.04 | +$2,588.96 |
| 34 | Memphis | TN | ~$41,000 | $35,436.84 | +$5,563.16 |
| 35 | New Orleans | LA | ~$40,500 | $41,979.68 | -$1,479.68 |
| 36 | Oklahoma City | OK | ~$39,500 | $31,588.38 | +$7,911.62 |
| 37 | Birmingham | AL | ~$38,500 | $34,663.62 | +$3,836.38 |
| 38 | Louisville | KY | ~$38,200 | $42,210.00 | -$4,010.00 |
Source: RentCafe. (2026). Cost of living calculator: Comparison by city. https://www.rentcafe.com/cost-of-living-calculator/
The Certification Premium: What Getting Certified Adds to Your Paycheck
Certification is the single most controllable factor in your starting salary. The data is consistent across sources:
- 78% of healthcare employers require or prefer certification for MAs (NHA Industry Outlook 2024).
- 71% of employers pay more to certified MAs (NHA Industry Outlook 2024).
- Certified MAs average $2,000-$5,000 more per year than non-certified counterparts at the entry level.
- The certification premium compounds over time. Certified MAs have access to more specialization opportunities, which carry their own salary premiums.
The MA Career Ladder: Salary by Experience Level
Your salary as an MA isn't fixed at the entry level. Here's how earnings typically progress:
| Career Stage | Typical Role | Salary Range | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | Medical Assistant | $30,000-40,000 | Pass the certification exam on the first attempt |
| Mid-Level (2-5 years) | Experienced MA/Specialty MA | $40,000-52,000 | Specialize in a clinical area; develop phlebotomy / EKG mastery |
| Senior Level (5+ years) | Lead MA/Senior MA | $48,000-58,000 | Lead clinical workflows; mentor new MAs |
| Management (varies) | Office Manager/Practice Administrator | $55,000-90,000 | Healthcare administration credentials or equivalent experience |
⚡Office Managers and Practice Administrators in physician practices earn $55,000-$90,000+, and many of the most successful ones started as MAs. The clinical experience and workflow knowledge you build as an MA are direct preparation for leadership roles.
References:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 - Medical Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
- National Healthcareer Association. (2024). Healthcare 2024 Industry Outlook. https://info.nhanow.com
- Data USA. (2024). Medical Assistants. https://datausa.io/profile/soc/medical-assistants
- Glassdoor. (2024). Medical Assistant Salaries by Specialty. https://www.glassdoor.com
- RentCafe. (2026). Cost of living calculator: Comparison by city. https://www.rentcafe.com/cost-of-living-calculator/
- Research.com. (2024). 2026 Medical Assistant Salary by State. https://research.com/careers/medical-assistant-salary-by-state
- Zippia. (2026). Medical Assistant Salary by State. https://www.zippia.com/advice/medical-assistant-salary-by-state
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