Medical Assistant Salary in Boulder, CO: $51,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Boulder, CO earns a median $51,005/year (≈ $24.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $48,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the projected median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $51,005, slightly above the national median of $47,961. With a salary range from $45,085 at the 10th percentile to $65,081 at the 90th percentile, this data reflects the competitiveness of the job market driven by the expanding healthcare sector. Medical assistants can find lucrative opportunities that enhance their compensation through career advancement pathways, such as bridging to LPN or RN roles, which can significantly increase long-term earning potential. The insights provided here are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizing Boulder's growing demand for skilled medical professionals that aligns with a larger trend in health services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,085 | $21.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,415 | $22.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,005 | $24.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,957 | $27.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,081 | $31.29 |
Median Salary Position
6.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,996 (2026 est.). At $51,005, the local median is 6.35% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boulder Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Boulder median: $51,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $48,163 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +6.35% more |
Medical Assistants in Boulder, CO earn a median of $51,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.35% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 5.90% above the Colorado state average of $48,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,005 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,483 — a 4.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,370
2025 BLS Actual
$48,590
2026 Current Est.
$51,005
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.6% from $38,370 (2019) to $48,590 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,170 (39.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,085 – $47,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,415 – $51,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,005 – $56,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,957 – $65,081 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Boulder
With approximately 970 medical assistants currently employed in Boulder, job prospects remain favorable as the industry experiences a growth rate of 4.97% annually. However, the local cost-of-living index of 105.202 indicates that take-home pay is somewhat constrained compared to national averages, which can impact purchasing power. Many of the highest-paying positions in the area are found in specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, which often offer pay premiums of 20-40% over primary care roles. Additionally, being bilingual can provide a pay boost, as can obtaining certifications that extend beyond standard medical assisting, including skills in phlebotomy or EKG. To maximize earnings in Boulder, medical assistants should actively pursue these additional qualifications and consider employment in high-demand specialties or urgent care facilities that often offer more competitive pay structures.
More salary data for Boulder, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,590 for medical assistantsin the Boulder metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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