Medical Assistant Pay

Prescott vs Tucson: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Prescott, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Prescott, AZ
$47,841
$23.00/hr
Tucson, AZ
$46,586
$22.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPrescott, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$47,841$46,586
Hourly Rate$23.00$22.40
Entry Level (P10)$40,446$39,574
25th Percentile$41,816$41,232
75th Percentile$51,380$48,223
Top Earner (P90)$60,985$50,260
Total Employed92,990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Prescott ($47,841) and Tucson ($46,586) medical assistant salaries.PrescottTucsonMedian Salary$47,841$46,586Entry Level (P10)$40,446$39,574Top Earner (P90)$60,985$50,260US Median $47,961

Verdict

Prescott, AZ offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Prescott and Tucson is $1,255 (2.69%). Prescott's median is -0.25% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prescott spans $20,539,Tucson spans $10,686. Prescott has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Prescott
P10 (Entry)$40,446
P25$41,816
Median$47,841
P75$51,380
P90 (Top)$60,985
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$39,574
P25$41,232
Median$46,586
P75$48,223
P90 (Top)$50,260

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Prescott ($48,570 effective) pays 1.02% more than Tucson ($48,078 effective).

Prescott
Nominal: $47,841
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $48,570
Tucson
Nominal: $46,586
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $48,078

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Prescott if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,841/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,985)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,570)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Larger job market (2,990 employed)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Prescott grew 41.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.7% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Prescott, AZ

+41.7%

$32,170 (2019) → $45,576 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+37.7%

$32,220 (2019) → $44,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Prescott or Tucson?

Prescott has a higher median medical assistant salary at $47,841/year, compared to Tucson at $46,586/year — a difference of $1,255 (2.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Prescott and Tucson?

Prescott medical assistants earn $23.00/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $22.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Prescott to Tucson as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Prescott and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Prescott = $48,570, Tucson = $48,078), job availability (9 vs 2,990 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Prescott vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $40,446 in Prescott and $39,574 in Tucson. The Prescott 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