Medical Assistant Pay

Eugene vs Hermiston: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Eugene, OR and Hermiston, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$52,464
$25.22/hr
Hermiston, OR
$49,806
$23.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORHermiston, OR
Median Salary$52,464$49,806
Hourly Rate$25.22$23.94
Entry Level (P10)$43,668$40,636
25th Percentile$48,003$42,018
75th Percentile$60,725$51,641
Top Earner (P90)$66,110$62,860
Total Employed1,0406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($52,464) and Hermiston ($49,806) medical assistant salaries.EugeneHermistonMedian Salary$52,464$49,806Entry Level (P10)$43,668$40,636Top Earner (P90)$66,110$62,860US Median $47,961

Verdict

Eugene, OR offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hermiston.

The salary gap between Eugene and Hermiston is $2,658 (5.34%). Eugene's median is +9.39% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $22,442,Hermiston spans $22,224. Eugene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$43,668
P25$48,003
Median$52,464
P75$60,725
P90 (Top)$66,110
Hermiston
P10 (Entry)$40,636
P25$42,018
Median$49,806
P75$51,641
P90 (Top)$62,860

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Eugene ($51,654 effective) pays 6.41% more than Hermiston ($48,544 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $52,464
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $51,654
Hermiston
Nominal: $49,806
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $48,544

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,464/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,110)
  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,654)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Hermiston if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Eugene grew 23.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Hermiston over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+23.4%

$40,490 (2019) → $49,980 (2025)

Hermiston, OR

+1.6%

$46,706 (2024) → $47,448 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Eugene or Hermiston?

Eugene has a higher median medical assistant salary at $52,464/year, compared to Hermiston at $49,806/year — a difference of $2,658 (5.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Hermiston?

Eugene medical assistants earn $25.22/hr while Hermiston hygienists earn $23.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Hermiston as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Hermiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $51,654, Hermiston = $48,544), job availability (1,040 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Eugene vs Hermiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $43,668 in Eugene and $40,636 in Hermiston. The Eugene area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov