Medical Assistant Pay

Richland vs Spokane: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Richland, WA
$54,457
$26.18/hr
Spokane, WA
$54,290
$26.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichland, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$54,457$54,290
Hourly Rate$26.18$26.11
Entry Level (P10)$42,804$46,082
25th Percentile$45,321$48,748
75th Percentile$57,909$62,646
Top Earner (P90)$68,831$65,480
Total Employed152,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richland ($54,457) and Spokane ($54,290) medical assistant salaries.RichlandSpokaneMedian Salary$54,457$54,290Entry Level (P10)$42,804$46,082Top Earner (P90)$68,831$65,480US Median $47,961

Verdict

Richland, WA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Richland and Spokane is $167 (0.31%). Richland's median is +13.54% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richland spans $26,027,Spokane spans $19,398. Richland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Richland
P10 (Entry)$42,804
P25$45,321
Median$54,457
P75$57,909
P90 (Top)$68,831
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$46,082
P25$48,748
Median$54,290
P75$62,646
P90 (Top)$65,480

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($54,103 effective) pays 6.70% more than Richland ($50,705 effective).

Richland
Nominal: $54,457
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $50,705
Spokane
Nominal: $54,290
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $54,103

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richland if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,457/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,831)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (2,090 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,103)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Richland grew -8.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.0% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Richland, WA

+-8.1%

$56,442 (2024) → $51,879 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+41.0%

$36,680 (2019) → $51,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Richland or Spokane?

Richland has a higher median medical assistant salary at $54,457/year, compared to Spokane at $54,290/year — a difference of $167 (0.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richland and Spokane?

Richland medical assistants earn $26.18/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $26.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richland to Spokane as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richland and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richland = $50,705, Spokane = $54,103), job availability (15 vs 2,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Richland vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $42,804 in Richland and $46,082 in Spokane. The Spokane area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EC

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