Average Medical Assistant Salary: $42,259 (2026)

The average medical assistant salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $42,259 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $34,724 in El Paso, TX to $58,167 in San Francisco, CA.

The average hourly rate for medical assistants is $20.32 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $16.69/hour in lower-paying areas to $27.96/hour in top-paying cities like San Francisco.

San Francisco, CA is the highest paying metro area for medical assistants, with a median salary of $58,167 per year. This is 38% above the national average of $42,259. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level medical assistants (10th percentile) typically earn around $27,535 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $42,259 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average medical assistant salary of $42,259 is 29% lower than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $61,340 or more annually.

El Paso, TX has the lowest medical assistant salary at $34,724 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $23,443.

There are approximately 37,672 medical assistants employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a moderate-sized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting medical assistant salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $23,443 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Certification — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential holders earn 5–15% above uncertified medical assistants; certification also improves access to hospital-system positions with substantially better pay and benefits, Specialty setting — dermatology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and cardiology MAs typically earn above primary care MAs, reflecting higher procedure volumes and specialized skill requirements. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost medical assistant salaries include: Phlebotomy and specimen handling — competent venipuncture technique across difficult veins (antecubital, forearm, hand), proper tube selection and order-of-draw, chain-of-custody documentation, and laboratory specimen transport protocols, Injection technique — correct angle, site selection (deltoid, vastus lateralis, dorsogluteal, ventrogluteal, subcutaneous abdomen), aspiration protocols, and post-injection monitoring for anaphylaxis, EHR proficiency — navigating Epic, Athenahealth, or NextGen for chart review, order entry, prior authorization workflows, referral processing, and documentation of clinical encounters, Medical terminology and anatomy — sufficient knowledge to accurately document examinations, interpret provider orders, understand ICD-10/CPT coding basics, and communicate findings without ambiguity, HIPAA compliance and patient privacy — understanding of protected health information (PHI) regulations, minimum necessary standards, breach reporting requirements, and secure communication practices. Certification — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential holders earn 5–15% above uncertified medical assistants; certification also improves access to hospital-system positions with substantially better pay and benefits Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($52,139).

Medical Assistant salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $42,259 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.