Medical Assistant Salary in Tukwila, WA: $54,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Tukwila, WA earns a median $54,044/year (≈ $25.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Tukwila's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $50,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $54,044 for medical assistants in Tukwila, Washington, the local compensation landscape significantly surpasses the national median of $47,961. This indicates a pay premium of 12.68%, which is further supported by a salary range from $46,338 at the 10th percentile to $65,607 at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reflect the economic realities and cost of living adjustments specific to this region. In Tukwila, medical assistants working in specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically earn higher salaries compared to those in primary care, underscoring the importance of specialization in maximizing earnings within this field.
About the Tukwila Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,338 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,265 | $22.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,044 | $25.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,422 | $27.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,607 | $31.54 |
Median Salary Position
12.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tukwila
In Tukwila, WA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,269 (2026 est.). At $54,044, the local median is 12.68% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tukwila: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tukwila Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Tukwila median: $54,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tukwila Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $58,489 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +12.68% more |
Medical Assistants in Tukwila, WA earn a median of $54,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.68% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $58,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tukwila has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tukwila, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,044 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,320 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,214
2025 BLS Actual
$51,485
2026 Current Est.
$54,044
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,214 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,397 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,124 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,621 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tukwila metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $39,214 (2019) to $51,485 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,516 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tukwila 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) | $46,338 – $47,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,265 – $54,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,044 – $56,422 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,422 – $65,607 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Tukwila
Examining the local job market, there are currently four medical assistants employed in Tukwila, which emphasizes the competitive nature and growth potential within this healthcare sector. The cost of living index at 107.4 suggests that while salaries may appear attractive, the purchasing power of these earnings is slightly affected by higher living expenses. Among local employers, specialty practices often lead in compensation, followed closely by urgent care clinics and hospital outpatient facilities. Factors such as specialization, bilingualism, additional certifications, and experience can create disparities in pay. Those aiming to boost their medical assistant pay in Tukwila should consider obtaining certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT, highlighting their skills in areas like EKG or phlebotomy, or pursuing roles in higher-paying specialty clinics to maximize their income potential.
More salary data for Tukwila, 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 $51,485 for medical assistantsin the Tukwila 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 Tukwila 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