Medical Assistant Pay

Spokane vs Yakima: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Spokane, WA
$54,290
$26.11/hr
Yakima, WA
$51,761
$24.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WAYakima, WA
Median Salary$54,290$51,761
Hourly Rate$26.11$24.89
Entry Level (P10)$46,082$42,796
25th Percentile$48,748$48,895
75th Percentile$62,646$59,088
Top Earner (P90)$65,480$64,126
Total Employed2,090710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($54,290) and Yakima ($51,761) medical assistant salaries.SpokaneYakimaMedian Salary$54,290$51,761Entry Level (P10)$46,082$42,796Top Earner (P90)$65,480$64,126US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Spokane and Yakima is $2,529 (4.89%). 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,Yakima spans $21,330. Yakima has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$46,082
P25$48,748
Median$54,290
P75$62,646
P90 (Top)$65,480
Yakima
P10 (Entry)$42,796
P25$48,895
Median$51,761
P75$59,088
P90 (Top)$64,126

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Yakima ($54,174 effective) pays 0.13% more than Spokane ($54,103 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $54,290
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $54,103
Yakima
Nominal: $51,761
CoL Index: 95.545
Adjusted: $54,174

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,480)
  • Larger job market (2,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Yakima if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,174)
  • 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 34.0% growth in Yakima over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+41.0%

$36,680 (2019) → $51,720 (2025)

Yakima, WA

+34.0%

$36,810 (2019) → $49,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Spokane or Yakima?

Spokane has a higher median medical assistant salary at $54,290/year, compared to Yakima at $51,761/year — a difference of $2,529 (4.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and Yakima?

Spokane medical assistants earn $26.11/hr while Yakima hygienists earn $24.89/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and Yakima. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $54,103, Yakima = $54,174), job availability (2,090 vs 710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $46,082 in Spokane and $42,796 in Yakima. 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