Medical Assistant Salary in Washington, DC: $48,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Washington, DC earns a median $48,958/year (≈ $23.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $44,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% below the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Washington DC is projected to reach a median of $48,958, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range is also noteworthy, spanning from $39,301 at the 10th percentile to $62,247 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the earning potential for medical assistants in more specialized roles. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrates that while entry-level positions in primary care may pay less, those in specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, can command significantly higher salaries. As the Washington job market continues to evolve, the demand for skilled medical assistants remains robust, with particular emphasis on those pursuing certifications and specialty training.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,301 | $18.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,641 | $21.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,958 | $23.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,755 | $25.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,247 | $29.93 |
Median Salary Position
2.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,946 (2026 est.). At $48,958, the local median is 2.08% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Washington Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Washington median: $48,958/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $56,145 | -12.80% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +2.08% more |
Medical Assistants in Washington, DC earn a median of $48,958 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.08% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 12.80% below the District of Columbia state average of $56,145.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,958 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,963 — a 8.16% reduction.
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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 Washington (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 Washington 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 Washington 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) | $39,301 – $45,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,641 – $48,958 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,958 – $53,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,755 – $62,247 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Washington
With approximately 13,890 medical assistants currently working in Washington, the local job market indicates a strong demand for this vital healthcare role. However, the cost of living in the area is relatively high, with a cost-of-living index of 108.884, meaning that take-home purchasing power may be impacted. Employers in specialty practices generally provide higher compensation compared to primary care physician offices or urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress. This pay disparity stems from various factors: specialists often require advanced skills, multilingual abilities can lead to higher pay, and certification enhancements such as phlebotomy or EKG can boost earning potential. For medical assistants looking to maximize their pay in Washington, pursuing additional certifications and actively seeking jobs in higher-paying specialty practices will be key strategies to consider.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
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 $46,640 for medical assistantsin the Washington 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