Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Kennewick, WA: $42,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Kennewick, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $42,282 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kennewick's local price level (BEA RPP 100.1 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,249 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($53,346) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the starting medical assistant salary in Kennewick is projected to be around $42,282, providing new graduates with a realistic entry point into the healthcare workforce. As they build their experience, many in the medical assistant field can expect to see their salaries rise through the quartiles. The median annual salary for medical assistants in Kennewick is expected to reach $53,346, creating a significant gap for entry-level positions compared to seasoned staff. Graduates entering this role can anticipate steady salary growth as they gain experience, particularly in a city that currently has a strong demand for medical assistants. Given this context, Kennewick offers an encouraging market for new entrants in the profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kennewick
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 Kennewick
Entry-level medical assistants in Kennewick, WA typically start between $42,282 and $49,483 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,374 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $53,346 — 11.23% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Washington of $9,000 represents just 21.29% of the starting medical assistant pay ($42,282/year) in Kennewick. 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 Kennewick
- 1Research the Kennewick market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $42,282 to $49,483, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kennewick, 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 Kennewick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kennewick'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 Kennewick is $24,374 ( 57.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $42,282, experienced hygienists can earn up to $66,656.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$28,640
2025 BLS Actual
$40,280
2026 Current Est.
$42,282
2019–2027 Growth
+55.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,383 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Kennewick, WA grew 40.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,640 in 2019 to $40,280 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $44,383. New graduates entering the Kennewick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Opportunities for newly graduated medical assistants in Kennewick often lie within primary care offices and urgent care centers, which typically hire entry-level candidates and provide structured onboarding processes. While specialty practices like dermatology and orthopedics may prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) may offer additional incentives such as National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment and enhanced pay for bilingual candidates. Pursuing credentials like the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) can significantly boost starting medical assistant pay in WA. Course completion from an accredited program, typically lasting 9-12 months, along with certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT, can provide a competitive edge. Over the initial 1-3 years, expect salary increases aligned with the highest growth rates in the healthcare sector focused on primary care and occupational health settings, translating into a sustained career trajectory that can lead to lucrative positions in specialty practices that command a 20-40% premium over typical wages.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 Kennewick. 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