Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $25.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Denver, CO runs $25.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,170 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,310 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, the projected median hourly pay for medical assistants is $25.09, which outpaces the national median of $23.06. This competitive rate positions medical assistants well in various healthcare settings, offering a solid income for both full-time and part-time workers. Part-time medical assistants, for instance, earning this hourly rate while working three days a week could expect to make a significant contribution to their finances, especially in environments such as primary care offices, urgent care centers, and specialty practice clinics. The hourly pay range for medical assistants in Denver extends from $22.97 for entry-level positions to $30.57 for the highest earners, reflecting a diverse spectrum of opportunities within the field. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data illustrates a robust earning potential for medical professionals in the area.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.97 | $183.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.15 | $193.23 |
| Median (P50) | $25.09 | $200.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.28 | $234.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.57 | $244.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $25.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.09/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $52,183 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,105. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,003.51 | $4,349 | $52,183 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $602.11 | $2,609 | $31,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $401.41 | $1,739 | $20,873 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Denver) | $25.09 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Denver, CO earn a median of $52,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.78% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 8.30% above the Colorado state average of $48,172.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.09/hr = $31,310/year (purchasing power: $29,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,183/year (purchasing power: $49,330).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Denver grew 29.2% from $18.50/hr (2019) to $23.90/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Denver
The part-time potential for medical assistants in Denver is quite appealing; those working 24 hours a week can see a substantial annual income when calculated against the hourly rate. Per diem medical assistants typically earn between $20 and $30 per hour, with specialty practices like dermatology and plastics often offering pay rates from $25 to $38 per hour, which is significantly higher than their primary care counterparts. Alongside this, urgent care shifts can include stipends of $50 to $150 for long hours, enhancing overall compensation. However, hourly rates can vary widely depending on the employer type—primary care offices may offer different rates than urgent care chains like CityMD, or corporate health clinics, where benefits may also factor into compensation decisions. Consequently, some medical assistants may opt for lower hourly rates that come with benefits, while others might prefer higher pay without the safety net of health insurance. For those pursuing hourly opportunities in Denver, effective negotiation could go a long way in securing better compensation tailored to one's experience and the demands of the role.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Denver. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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