Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Eugene, OR: $43,668 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Eugene, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,668 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Eugene's local price level (BEA RPP 101.6 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,994 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($52,464) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the medical assistant field in Eugene, Oregon can anticipate an entry-level medical assistant salary of approximately $43,668. This starting figure is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $52,464, which indicates that new professionals should expect to earn less than experienced counterparts initially. However, the growth trajectory for medical assistants is promising, with opportunities to advance to around $48,003 within the first couple of years, thanks to the role's strong demand and increasing responsibilities. Overall, Eugene presents a favorable job market for recent graduates, highlighted by a projected annual job growth rate of 4.97%, which suggests numerous employment openings in the coming years.
Career Earnings Timeline in Eugene
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eugene
Entry-level medical assistants in Eugene, OR typically start between $43,668 and $48,003 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,442 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $52,464 — 9.39% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Oregon of $9,000 represents just 20.61% of the starting medical assistant pay ($43,668/year) in Eugene. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Eugene
- 1Research the Eugene market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $43,668 to $48,003, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Eugene, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Eugene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Eugene's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Eugene is $22,442 ( 51.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,668, experienced hygienists can earn up to $66,110.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,710
2025 BLS Actual
$41,600
2026 Current Est.
$43,668
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Eugene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,668 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,838 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Eugene, OR grew 35.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,710 in 2019 to $41,600 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,838. New graduates entering the Eugene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eugene metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Eugene
Employers in Eugene that typically hire freshly minted medical assistants include primary care offices and urgent care chains. These facilities often provide structured onboarding for new graduates, making them ideal starting points for recent entrants into the field. In contrast, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics tend to favor applicants with a year or two of experience. Additionally, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the area sometimes offer national health service loan repayment options and premiums for bilingual candidates. To enhance starting medical assistant pay in Oregon, aspiring professionals are encouraged to pursue accredited diplomas or associate degrees from recognized programs, as well as attain national certifications from organizations like AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT. With Eugene's medical assistant workforce expected to grow rapidly, coupled with ongoing training and certification, there's potential for new professionals to see salary increments that may align them with specialty practices, which often compensate significantly higher for qualified assistants.
More salary data for Eugene, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Eugene. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov