Medical Assistant Salary in Arizona: $48,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $48,428/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,165 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chandler ($47,158), Phoenix ($46,830), Scottsdale ($46,770).
In Arizona, the projected average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $48,428, which is slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a 1.0% advantage. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Chandler at the top earning $49,502, while Kingman offers the lowest salaries at $42,587. This $6,915 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, the demand for healthcare services in urban areas, and the concentration of medical facilities. Arizona's medical assistants benefit from the state's supportive scope of practice laws and licensing requirements, which allow for a wide range of responsibilities. The state's job market is projected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 4.97%, driven by a rising population and an increased focus on preventive healthcare. Major cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Mesa follow Chandler closely in average salaries, indicating more competitive pay in metropolitan areas where healthcare providers are abundant. Overall, the strong demand for medical assistants in Arizona presents solid job opportunities and a favorable outlook for those entering the field.
Arizona Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $34,895 (lowest entry-level) to $66,153 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona medical assistants earn 0.97% more than the national median (+$467/year difference).
Arizona Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Arizona range from $40,151 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $56,690 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,428. The Arizona median is $467 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.28/hr. Approximately 21,184 medical assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,967
2025 BLS Actual
$46,135
2026 Current Est.
$48,428
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,967 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,819 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,182 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,835 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 35.8% from $33,967 (2019) to $46,135 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,868 (49.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kingman | $42,587 |
| Lake Havasu City | $42,712 |
| Sedona | $43,733 |
| Nogales | $43,884 |
| Oro Valley | $44,160 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista | $45,022 | 89.243 | $50,449 |
| Chandler | $49,502 | 98.5 | $50,256 |
| Scottsdale | $49,094 | 98.5 | $49,842 |
| Yuma | $46,061 | 92.706 | $49,685 |
| Glendale | $48,922 | 98.5 | $49,667 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,151 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,428 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $56,690 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler | $49,502 |
| 2 | Phoenix | $49,157 |
| 3 | Scottsdale | $49,094 |
| 4 | Glendale | $48,922 |
| 5 | Mesa | $48,919 |
| 6 | Prescott Valley | $48,097 |
| 7 | Prescott | $47,841 |
| 8 | Gilbert | $47,767 |
| 9 | Flagstaff | $47,751 |
| 10 | Peoria | $47,610 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $47,221 |
| 12 | Avondale | $47,151 |
| 13 | Marana | $46,974 |
| 14 | San Tan Valley | $46,838 |
| 15 | Tempe | $46,782 |
| 16 | Tucson | $46,586 |
| 17 | Surprise | $46,485 |
| 18 | Goodyear | $46,414 |
| 19 | Queen Creek | $46,217 |
| 20 | Yuma | $46,061 |
| 21 | Buckeye | $45,786 |
| 22 | Florence | $45,475 |
| 23 | Casa Grande | $45,376 |
| 24 | Bullhead City | $45,371 |
| 25 | El Mirage | $45,169 |
| 26 | Sierra Vista | $45,022 |
| 27 | Sahuarita | $44,973 |
| 28 | Apache Junction | $44,916 |
| 29 | Oro Valley | $44,160 |
| 30 | Nogales | $43,884 |
| 31 | Sedona | $43,733 |
| 32 | Lake Havasu City | $42,712 |
| 33 | Kingman | $42,587 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Arizona?
How does Arizona medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Arizona?
How many medical assistants are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for medical assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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