Medical Assistant Salary
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings to support physicians and other health professionals. They are critical to the smooth operation of medical offices.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Medical Assistant
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $61,500 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $59,790 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $56,240 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $52,570 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $50,740 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $49,700 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $49,420 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $48,370 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,760 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $47,270 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $55,339 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $53,348 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $51,716 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $50,152 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | 95.7 | $49,009 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $47,787 |
| 7 | Louisville, KY | 93.1 | $47,758 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | 98.2 | $47,027 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $46,983 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $46,866 |
Medical Assistant Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $54,900 | $61,500 | $68,850 | $76,360 | 10,210 |
| San Francisco, CA | $50,120 | $59,790 | $77,260 | $79,750 | 14,320 |
| Portland, OR | $48,750 | $56,240 | $61,240 | $63,300 | 6,390 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $48,660 | $52,570 | $59,120 | $60,100 | 7,390 |
| Boston, MA | $47,950 | $50,740 | $59,160 | $62,500 | 10,750 |
| Denver, CO | $47,860 | $49,700 | $58,010 | $60,580 | 6,440 |
| San Diego, CA | $47,690 | $49,420 | $60,480 | $66,340 | 9,370 |
| New York, NY | $45,980 | $48,370 | $56,390 | $59,910 | 44,060 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $45,830 | $47,760 | $59,610 | $73,940 | 39,770 |
| Chicago, IL | $40,690 | $47,270 | $50,260 | $57,360 | 15,640 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $40,200 | $46,900 | $47,680 | $56,430 | 6,580 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $41,790 | $46,830 | $49,060 | $55,100 | 15,410 |
| Washington, DC | $43,480 | $46,640 | $51,210 | $59,300 | 13,890 |
| Charlotte, NC | $39,800 | $46,520 | $49,010 | $56,840 | 6,060 |
| Raleigh, NC | $39,450 | $46,160 | $47,420 | $56,420 | 3,810 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $39,660 | $46,080 | $49,000 | $57,070 | 3,910 |
| Atlanta, GA | $38,560 | $46,060 | $47,610 | $58,310 | 16,910 |
| Austin, TX | $39,520 | $45,820 | $47,430 | $54,820 | 5,830 |
| Miami, FL | $37,880 | $44,930 | $47,150 | $51,930 | 18,670 |
| Nashville, TN | $38,340 | $44,620 | $47,580 | $51,870 | 6,340 |
| Richmond, VA | $38,730 | $44,490 | $45,910 | $46,940 | 3,210 |
| Louisville, KY | $38,490 | $44,450 | $47,420 | $49,940 | 4,140 |
| Columbus, OH | $38,250 | $44,140 | $46,550 | $49,950 | 5,850 |
| Dallas, TX | $37,840 | $43,100 | $47,850 | $55,620 | 20,560 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $38,580 | $42,840 | $46,210 | $47,010 | 4,810 |
| Houston, TX | $36,670 | $42,110 | $46,730 | $49,360 | 18,280 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $37,910 | $39,810 | $46,290 | $48,560 | 4,730 |
| Detroit, MI | $37,590 | $39,410 | $45,820 | $48,750 | 12,400 |
| Memphis, TN | $37,800 | $39,260 | $44,980 | $47,040 | 3,350 |
| El Paso, TX | $30,560 | $35,790 | $38,650 | $44,800 | 1,980 |
5About the Medical Assistant Role
Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in healthcare settings to support physicians and other health professionals. They are critical to the smooth operation of medical offices.
Compensation for Medical Assistants varies by metro — from $35,790 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $61,500 in Seattle, WA. The $25,710 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see medical assistant salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Medical Assistant salary in the US?
The national median Medical Assistant salary is $45,690 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $38,470 and the 90th percentile reaches $59,310.
Which city pays Medical Assistants the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, Seattle, WA has the highest median wage for Medical Assistants at $61,500 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). San Francisco, CA ($59,790) and Portland, OR ($56,240) are next.