Medical Assistant Salary in Seattle, WA: $64,557 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Seattle, WA earns a median $64,557/year (≈ $31.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $58,090 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.4% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Seattle, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $64,557, a significant increase when compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this profession extends from $50,512 at the 10th percentile to $80,155 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the city's dynamic job market for healthcare roles. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which indicate that there is a notable pay gradient based on specialty practice. For instance, medical assistants working in dermatology, plastic surgery, or orthopedics typically command higher salaries than those employed in primary care settings. Seattle's competitive compensation reflects its fast-growing healthcare sector, with opportunities continuing to flourish across various practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,512 | $24.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,629 | $27.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,557 | $31.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,272 | $34.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,155 | $38.53 |
Median Salary Position
34.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,643 (2026 est.). At $64,557, the local median is 34.6% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Seattle median: $64,557/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $58,475 | +10.40% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +34.60% more |
Medical Assistants in Seattle, WA earn a median of $64,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.60% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 10.40% above the Washington state average of $58,475.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,557 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,090 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,950
2025 BLS Actual
$61,500
2026 Current Est.
$64,557
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,557 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.0% from $46,950 (2019) to $61,500 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,815 (44.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $50,512 – $57,629 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,629 – $64,557 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,557 – $72,272 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,272 – $80,155 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Seattle
With 10,210 medical assistants currently employed in the Seattle area, job opportunities abound for those entering the field. However, the region’s cost of living, represented by a CoL index of 111.133, necessitates consideration of purchasing power when evaluating compensation. Employers offering the highest salaries typically include specialty practices like cardiology and OB-GYN, as well as urgent care chains and hospital outpatient clinics. The disparities in pay stem from factors such as specialty practice premiums, which can incentivize higher wages, alongside potential bilingual premiums that enhance employability in a diverse city such as Seattle. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Seattle, pursuing advanced certifications or specializing in high-demand areas can lead to enhanced salary prospects, while bridging to roles such as LPN or RN further opens pathways for increased earnings.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 $61,500 for medical assistantsin the Seattle 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