Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Richmond, VA: $39,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Richmond, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,689 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Richmond's local price level (BEA RPP 97.9 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,558 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,701) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those entering the medical assistant field in Richmond, Virginia can expect a starting salary around $39,689. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for entry-level positions, potentially increasing over time as new graduates gain experience and skills. Compared to the median annual salary of $46,701 for medical assistants in the area, there is a significant gap between starting pay and the experienced wage. Entry-level professionals may see their earnings progressively rise to about $40,655 as they reach the 25th percentile and aim for the median salary level within 3-5 years. With a healthy job growth projection of 4.97% for medical assistants in the coming years, Richmond remains a promising job market for recent graduates stepping into their first roles.
Career Earnings Timeline in Richmond
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 Richmond
Entry-level medical assistants in Richmond, VA typically start between $39,689 and $40,655 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $9,584 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,701 — 2.63% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Virginia of $7,000 represents just 17.64% of the starting medical assistant pay ($39,689/year) in Richmond. 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 Richmond
- 1Research the Richmond market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $39,689 to $40,655, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Richmond, 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 Richmond for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Richmond'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 Richmond is $9,584 ( 24.15%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,689, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,273.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,690
2025 BLS Actual
$37,810
2026 Current Est.
$39,689
2019–2027 Growth
+68.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,662 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Richmond, VA grew 53.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,690 in 2019 to $37,810 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,662. New graduates entering the Richmond job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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 Richmond
Employers in Richmond are actively seeking to hire new graduates for a variety of medical settings, especially in primary care and urgent care offices that provide structured onboarding programs. On the other hand, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics generally prefer candidates with some previous experience, making them less ideal for fresh graduates. New medical assistants can enhance their earning potential significantly by obtaining credentials from recognized bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT, or by completing continuing education programs such as phlebotomy or EKG training. In the first few years, new graduates might realistically expect salary growth that aligns with overall employment trends in this fast-growing sector. While entry-level wages may be lower, the potential for career advancement into higher-paying specialties—often offering a premium of 20-40% over standard roles—provides a clear path for financial and professional growth for medical assistants in Richmond, VA.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. 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