Medical Assistant Pay

Spokane vs Tukwila: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Spokane, WA
$54,290
$26.11/hr
Tukwila, WA
$54,044
$25.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WATukwila, WA
Median Salary$54,290$54,044
Hourly Rate$26.11$25.98
Entry Level (P10)$46,082$46,338
25th Percentile$48,748$47,265
75th Percentile$62,646$56,422
Top Earner (P90)$65,480$65,607
Total Employed2,0904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($54,290) and Tukwila ($54,044) medical assistant salaries.SpokaneTukwilaMedian Salary$54,290$54,044Entry Level (P10)$46,082$46,338Top Earner (P90)$65,480$65,607US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Spokane and Tukwila is $246 (0.46%). Spokane's median is +13.20% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $19,398,Tukwila spans $19,269. Spokane has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$46,082
P25$48,748
Median$54,290
P75$62,646
P90 (Top)$65,480
Tukwila
P10 (Entry)$46,338
P25$47,265
Median$54,044
P75$56,422
P90 (Top)$65,607

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($54,103 effective) pays 7.52% more than Tukwila ($50,320 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $54,290
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $54,103
Tukwila
Nominal: $54,044
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $50,320

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,290/year)
  • Larger job market (2,090 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,103)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tukwila if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,607)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Spokane grew 41.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.3% growth in Tukwila over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+41.0%

$36,680 (2019) → $51,720 (2025)

Tukwila, WA

+-0.3%

$51,621 (2024) → $51,485 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Spokane or Tukwila?

Spokane has a higher median medical assistant salary at $54,290/year, compared to Tukwila at $54,044/year — a difference of $246 (0.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and Tukwila?

Spokane medical assistants earn $26.11/hr while Tukwila hygienists earn $25.98/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and Tukwila. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $54,103, Tukwila = $50,320), job availability (2,090 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $46,082 in Spokane and $46,338 in Tukwila. The Tukwila 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