Medical Assistant Salary in Richmond, VA: $46,701 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Richmond, VA earns a median $46,701/year (≈ $22.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $47,723 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Richmond, VA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $46,701, which sits slightly below the national median of $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants in this region spans from $39,689 at the 10th percentile to $49,273 at the 90th percentile. These insights are derived from comprehensive official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating how the demand for bilingual medical assistants can enhance compensation in Richmond’s diverse healthcare market. As facilities seek to serve a varied patient demographic, the bilingual premium plays a significant role in shifting pay scales, contributing to a competitive job environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,689 | $19.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,655 | $19.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,701 | $22.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,192 | $23.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,273 | $23.69 |
Median Salary Position
2.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,584 (2026 est.). At $46,701, the local median is 2.63% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Richmond median: $46,701/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $42,225 | +10.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.63% less |
Medical Assistants in Richmond, VA earn a median of $46,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 10.60% above the Virginia state average of $42,225.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,701 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,723 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,860
2025 BLS Actual
$44,490
2026 Current Est.
$46,701
2019–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,701 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.4% from $33,860 (2019) to $44,490 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,162 (44.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $39,689 – $40,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,655 – $46,701 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,701 – $48,192 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,192 – $49,273 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Richmond
Richmond's healthcare sector employs about 3,210 medical assistants, reflecting robust local job market dynamics. The cost of living index stands at 97.858, indicating that Richmond is below the national average cost, which can positively impact disposable income for medical assistants. Employers such as urgent care clinics, specialty practices, and hospital outpatient facilities typically offer higher wages. The variance in pay arises from several factors, including the type of practice, the demand for specialty skills in fields like dermatology, and the added value of certifications from recognized organizations such as AAMA and AMT. To maximize earning potential, aspiring medical assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications or specialization, especially in high-demand areas like urgent care or bilingual positions, as these qualifications often lead to better pay and career advancement opportunities in Richmond, VA.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Richmond, VA in 2026?
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Can medical assistants make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Richmond?
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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 $44,490 for medical assistantsin the Richmond 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