Medical Assistant Salary in Washington: $61,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $61,148/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $56,935 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($62,103), Mount Vernon ($61,870), Seattle ($61,500).
In 2026, medical assistants in Washington can expect an average median salary of $61,148, which significantly exceeds the national median of $47,961 by 27.5%. The highest paying city in the state is Bellevue, with salaries reaching $65,190, while Wenatchee offers the lowest at $51,677. This salary disparity can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local economic conditions in each city. Washington's medical assistants also benefit from specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that vary, impacting job responsibilities and, consequently, salaries. The need for qualified healthcare workers in the state is driven by a growing population and increasing healthcare demands. With 17,054 medical assistants employed across the state, the job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.97%. Other notable cities include Mount Vernon at $64,945, Seattle at $64,557, Longview at $64,536, and Tacoma at $63,480, all reflecting similar trends in salary and demand for medical assistants. As the healthcare sector continues to expand, opportunities for new professionals are likely to increase, presenting a favorable outlook for those entering this field in Washington.
Washington Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $40,298 (lowest entry-level) to $89,395 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington medical assistants earn 27.50% more than the national median (+$13,187/year difference).
Washington Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Washington range from $48,660 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,933 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,148. The Washington median is $13,187 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $29.40/hr. Approximately 17,054 medical assistants are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,791
2025 BLS Actual
$58,253
2026 Current Est.
$61,148
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
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 | $43,791 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,499 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,253 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 33.0% from $43,791 (2019) to $58,253 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,396 (46.58%) 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wenatchee | $51,677 |
| Yakima | $51,761 |
| Kennewick | $53,346 |
| Tukwila | $54,044 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $54,127 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | $64,536 | 97.545 | $66,160 |
| Mount Vernon | $64,945 | 102.443 | $63,396 |
| Bellevue | $65,190 | 107.4 | $60,698 |
| Walla Walla | $58,804 | 98.519 | $59,688 |
| Tacoma | $63,480 | 107.4 | $59,106 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,660 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,148 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,933 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $65,190 |
| 2 | Mount Vernon | $64,945 |
| 3 | Seattle | $64,557 |
| 4 | Longview | $64,536 |
| 5 | Tacoma | $63,480 |
| 6 | Bellingham | $60,263 |
| 7 | Renton | $59,996 |
| 8 | Vancouver | $59,415 |
| 9 | Everett | $59,414 |
| 10 | Tumwater | $59,004 |
| 11 | Marysville | $58,969 |
| 12 | Walla Walla | $58,804 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $58,646 |
| 14 | Olympia | $58,468 |
| 15 | Bremerton | $58,447 |
| 16 | Redmond | $58,414 |
| 17 | Kent | $58,365 |
| 18 | Kirkland | $58,270 |
| 19 | Burien | $58,196 |
| 20 | Lacey | $57,989 |
| 21 | Federal Way | $57,940 |
| 22 | Des Moines | $57,928 |
| 23 | Auburn | $57,793 |
| 24 | Lakewood | $57,770 |
| 25 | Issaquah | $57,738 |
| 26 | Sammamish | $57,358 |
| 27 | University Place | $57,338 |
| 28 | SeaTac | $57,293 |
| 29 | Pasco | $57,048 |
| 30 | Edmonds | $56,698 |
| 31 | Lake Stevens | $56,548 |
| 32 | Lynnwood | $56,513 |
| 33 | Moses Lake | $56,404 |
| 34 | Bothell | $56,363 |
| 35 | Pullman | $56,113 |
| 36 | Puyallup | $55,986 |
| 37 | Ellensburg | $55,776 |
| 38 | Maple Valley | $55,623 |
| 39 | Camas | $55,482 |
| 40 | Spokane Valley | $55,335 |
| 41 | Oak Harbor | $55,248 |
| 42 | Kenmore | $54,892 |
| 43 | Covington | $54,888 |
| 44 | Richland | $54,457 |
| 45 | Spokane | $54,290 |
| 46 | Mountlake Terrace | $54,127 |
| 47 | Tukwila | $54,044 |
| 48 | Kennewick | $53,346 |
| 49 | Yakima | $51,761 |
| 50 | Wenatchee | $51,677 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Washington?
How does Washington medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Washington?
How many medical assistants are employed in Washington?
Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 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