Medical Assistant Salary in District of Columbia: $48,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $48,958/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $41,844 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($46,640).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in the District of Columbia is projected to be $48,958, slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a 2.1% increase over the national average. Notably, Washington is the only city reported, where salaries remain consistent at $48,958, resulting in no salary disparity between different locations within the city. Several factors influence the salary landscape in D.C. State licensing requirements and a defined scope of practice contribute to both the demand for medical assistants and their compensation. The job market for medical assistants is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.97%, driven by the increasing need for healthcare services in the area. A rising population and expanding healthcare facilities further elevate the demand for qualified medical staff. With a total employment figure of 13,890 medical assistants, the outlook appears solid for those seeking a career in this field. As the healthcare sector continues to adapt and expand, medical assistants in the District of Columbia can expect steady job opportunities and competitive salaries that align closely with the national trends.
District of Columbia Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $39,301 (lowest entry-level) to $62,247 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia medical assistants earn 2.08% more than the national median (+$997/year difference).
District of Columbia Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in District of Columbia range from $39,301 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $62,247 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,958. The District of Columbia median is $997 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.53/hr. Approximately 13,890 medical assistants are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,850
2025 BLS Actual
$46,640
2026 Current Est.
$48,958
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,958 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,391 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 20.1% from $38,850 (2019) to $46,640 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,391 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,541 (32.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,301 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,958 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $62,247 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $48,958 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
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
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 District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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