Medical Assistant Salary in Yakima, WA: $51,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Yakima, WA earns a median $51,761/year (≈ $24.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Yakima's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $54,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Yakima, WA, the medical assistant salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $51,761 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $42,796 at the 10th percentile to $64,126 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showing that the local market for medical assistants is robust. As healthcare needs continue to expand, opportunities for career advancement, such as transitioning to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) roles, present a pathway for those seeking to increase their earning potential in Yakima's evolving medical landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,796 | $20.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,895 | $23.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,761 | $24.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,088 | $28.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,126 | $30.83 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yakima
In Yakima, WA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,330 (2026 est.). At $51,761, the local median is 7.92% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yakima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yakima Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Yakima median: $51,761/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yakima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $58,487 | -11.50% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +7.92% more |
Medical Assistants in Yakima, WA earn a median of $51,761 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 11.50% below the Washington state average of $58,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yakima has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yakima, WA has a cost-of-living index of 95.545 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $51,761 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,174 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,810
2025 BLS Actual
$49,310
2026 Current Est.
$51,761
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yakima metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 34.0% from $36,810 (2019) to $49,310 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,523 (47.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yakima 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) | $42,796 – $48,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,895 – $51,761 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,761 – $59,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,088 – $64,126 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Yakima
The job market in Yakima currently employs about 710 medical assistants, indicating steady demand in this healthcare sector. Furthermore, the cost-of-living index of 95.545 suggests that the take-home pay for medical assistants, while competitive, allows for a reasonable standard of living. Facilities such as specialty practices in cardiology and dermatology tend to offer the highest wages, often paying a premium due to the skill sets required. Factors influencing the pay disparity in the area include specialty certifications, bilingual skills, and experience level. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Yakima, pursuing additional certifications or training in high-demand areas could be beneficial, especially as healthcare roles continue to expand and evolve.
More salary data for Yakima, 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 $49,310 for medical assistantsin the Yakima 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