Medical Assistant Salary in Pendleton, OR: $50,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Pendleton, OR earns a median $50,450/year (≈ $24.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Pendleton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $49,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pendleton, Oregon, medical assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $50,450, reflecting a demand for skilled professionals in this diverse market. The salary range spans from $42,226 at the 10th percentile to $60,045 at the 90th percentile. These estimates for 2026 are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating a competitive pay landscape for medical assistants in the area. The bilingual premium, particularly for those fluent in Spanish or other languages, contributes positively to compensation levels, positioning Pendleton favorably compared to the national median of $47,961.
About the Pendleton Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,226 | $20.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,375 | $20.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,450 | $24.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,112 | $25.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,045 | $28.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pendleton
In Pendleton, OR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,819 (2026 est.). At $50,450, the local median is 5.19% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pendleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pendleton Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Pendleton median: $50,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pendleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $52,497 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +5.19% more |
Medical Assistants in Pendleton, OR earn a median of $50,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $52,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pendleton has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pendleton, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,450 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,172 — a 2.53% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$36,606
2025 BLS Actual
$48,061
2026 Current Est.
$50,450
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Pendleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,606 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,061 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pendleton metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $36,606 (2019) to $48,061 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,351 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pendleton 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) | $42,226 – $43,375 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,375 – $50,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,450 – $53,112 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,112 – $60,045 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Pendleton
Despite having only five medical assistants employed locally, Pendleton’s cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 102.6, impacting take-home earnings and purchasing power. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedics, alongside corporate occupational health clinics. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including the type of practice, bilingual skills, and additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG. For those aiming to maximize their medical assistant pay in Pendleton, pursuing further training or specializing in high-demand areas can be advantageous. Engaging in continuous education and obtaining recognized certifications from bodies like AAMA or AMT can also enhance job prospects and salary negotiations.
More salary data for Pendleton, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Pendleton, OR in 2026?
Is Pendleton, OR a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Pendleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Pendleton?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Pendleton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $48,061 for medical assistantsin the Pendleton 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
Salary data for Pendleton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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