Medical Assistant Salary in Virginia: $44,823 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $44,823/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,433 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($46,246), Richmond ($44,490), Norfolk ($44,271).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in Virginia is projected to be $44,823, which is 6.5% lower than the national median of $47,961. Among Virginia's metro areas, Alexandria offers the highest salary at $48,544, while Falls Church has the lowest at $38,919, highlighting a significant salary gap of $9,625. This disparity can be attributed to factors like cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in these cities. Virginia medical assistants must comply with specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence their earning potential. The demand for medical assistants in the state is expected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 4.97%, driven by an expanding healthcare sector and an aging population. With around 9,300 individuals employed in this role, cities such as Richmond at $46,701, Norfolk at $46,471, Chesapeake at $45,965, and Virginia Beach at $45,788 are indicative of a strong job market. Overall, the outlook for medical assistants in Virginia remains solid, with steady growth anticipated in the coming years.
Virginia Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $31,682 (lowest entry-level) to $64,636 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia medical assistants earn 6.54% less than the national median ($-3,138/year difference).
Virginia Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Virginia range from $38,762 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $49,608 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,823. The Virginia median is $3,138 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $21.55/hr. Approximately 9,300 medical assistants are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,692
2025 BLS Actual
$42,701
2026 Current Est.
$44,823
2019–2027 Growth
+43.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,305 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,039 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,742 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,103 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,701 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,823 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 30.6% from $32,692 (2019) to $42,701 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,359 (43.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $38,919 |
| Herndon | $39,538 |
| Roanoke | $39,658 |
| Williamsburg | $39,969 |
| Annandale | $40,046 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $46,701 | 97.858 | $47,723 |
| Lynchburg | $42,208 | 89.363 | $47,232 |
| Alexandria | $48,544 | 103.2 | $47,039 |
| Virginia Beach | $45,788 | 97.941 | $46,751 |
| Staunton | $41,369 | 91.128 | $45,397 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,762 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,823 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $49,608 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $48,544 |
| 2 | Richmond | $46,701 |
| 3 | Norfolk | $46,471 |
| 4 | Chesapeake | $45,965 |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | $45,788 |
| 6 | Charlottesville | $44,234 |
| 7 | Winchester | $42,996 |
| 8 | Newport News | $42,537 |
| 9 | Lynchburg | $42,208 |
| 10 | Hampton | $42,161 |
| 11 | Radford | $42,028 |
| 12 | Centreville | $41,965 |
| 13 | Burke | $41,680 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $41,501 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $41,382 |
| 16 | Staunton | $41,369 |
| 17 | Ashburn | $41,324 |
| 18 | McLean | $41,320 |
| 19 | Blacksburg | $41,306 |
| 20 | Reston | $41,276 |
| 21 | Danville | $41,268 |
| 22 | Harrisonburg | $41,253 |
| 23 | Fredericksburg | $41,092 |
| 24 | Dale City | $41,083 |
| 25 | Manassas | $41,039 |
| 26 | Salem | $40,925 |
| 27 | Leesburg | $40,866 |
| 28 | Bristol | $40,849 |
| 29 | Portsmouth | $40,842 |
| 30 | Mechanicsville | $40,777 |
| 31 | Springfield | $40,633 |
| 32 | Woodbridge | $40,577 |
| 33 | Sterling | $40,498 |
| 34 | Lake Ridge | $40,446 |
| 35 | Linton Hall | $40,400 |
| 36 | Fairfax | $40,297 |
| 37 | Waynesboro | $40,100 |
| 38 | Annandale | $40,046 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $39,969 |
| 40 | Roanoke | $39,658 |
| 41 | Herndon | $39,538 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $38,919 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Virginia?
How does Virginia medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Virginia?
How many medical assistants are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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