Medical Assistant Pay

Kennewick vs Longview: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Kennewick, WA and Longview, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$53,346
$25.64/hr
Longview, WA
$64,536
$31.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WALongview, WA
Median Salary$53,346$64,536
Hourly Rate$25.64$31.03
Entry Level (P10)$42,282$49,399
25th Percentile$49,483$53,881
75th Percentile$62,300$64,966
Top Earner (P90)$66,656$65,816
Total Employed850250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($53,346) and Longview ($64,536) medical assistant salaries.KennewickLongviewMedian Salary$53,346$64,536Entry Level (P10)$42,282$49,399Top Earner (P90)$66,656$65,816US Median $47,961

Verdict

Kennewick and Longview are closely matched on overall medical assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Longview is $11,190 (20.98%). Longview's median is +34.56% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $24,374,Longview spans $16,417. Kennewick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$42,282
P25$49,483
Median$53,346
P75$62,300
P90 (Top)$66,656
Longview
P10 (Entry)$49,399
P25$53,881
Median$64,536
P75$64,966
P90 (Top)$65,816

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Longview ($66,160 effective) pays 24.12% more than Kennewick ($53,304 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $53,346
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $53,304
Longview
Nominal: $64,536
CoL Index: 97.545
Adjusted: $66,160

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,656)
  • Larger job market (850 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Longview if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,536/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,160)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Kennewick grew 38.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 46.3% growth in Longview over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+38.1%

$36,790 (2019) → $50,820 (2025)

Longview, WA

+46.3%

$42,020 (2019) → $61,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Kennewick or Longview?

Longview has a higher median medical assistant salary at $64,536/year, compared to Kennewick at $53,346/year — a difference of $11,190 (20.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Longview?

Kennewick medical assistants earn $25.64/hr while Longview hygienists earn $31.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kennewick to Longview as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Longview. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $53,304, Longview = $66,160), job availability (850 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Kennewick vs Longview?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $42,282 in Kennewick and $49,399 in Longview. The Longview 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