Medical Assistant Pay

Salem vs Wilsonville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Salem, OR
$52,737
$25.35/hr
Wilsonville, OR
$50,376
$24.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalem, ORWilsonville, OR
Median Salary$52,737$50,376
Hourly Rate$25.35$24.22
Entry Level (P10)$45,798$42,110
25th Percentile$50,071$42,953
75th Percentile$62,352$53,759
Top Earner (P90)$65,249$63,654
Total Employed1,0905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salem ($52,737) and Wilsonville ($50,376) medical assistant salaries.SalemWilsonvilleMedian Salary$52,737$50,376Entry Level (P10)$45,798$42,110Top Earner (P90)$65,249$63,654US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Salem and Wilsonville is $2,361 (4.69%). Salem's median is +9.96% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salem spans $19,451,Wilsonville spans $21,544. Wilsonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Salem
P10 (Entry)$45,798
P25$50,071
Median$52,737
P75$62,352
P90 (Top)$65,249
Wilsonville
P10 (Entry)$42,110
P25$42,953
Median$50,376
P75$53,759
P90 (Top)$63,654

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($50,880 effective) pays 3.63% more than Wilsonville ($49,099 effective).

Salem
Nominal: $52,737
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $50,880
Wilsonville
Nominal: $50,376
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $49,099

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,737/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,249)
  • Larger job market (1,090 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,880)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Wilsonville if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Salem grew 30.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Wilsonville over the same period.

Salem, OR

+30.6%

$38,470 (2019) → $50,240 (2025)

Wilsonville, OR

+1.6%

$47,241 (2024) → $47,991 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Salem or Wilsonville?

Salem has a higher median medical assistant salary at $52,737/year, compared to Wilsonville at $50,376/year — a difference of $2,361 (4.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salem and Wilsonville?

Salem medical assistants earn $25.35/hr while Wilsonville hygienists earn $24.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salem to Wilsonville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salem and Wilsonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salem = $50,880, Wilsonville = $49,099), job availability (1,090 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Salem vs Wilsonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $45,798 in Salem and $42,110 in Wilsonville. The Salem 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