Medical Assistant (MA) Salary by State
Compare Medical Assistant salaries across all 51 states. Select a state below for detailed percentile breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, and specialty comparisons.
Our nursing salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, supplemented by real-time job posting salary data for current market comparison.
Data
reviewed by 
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
for accuracy.
BLS Data vs. Current Job Postings
Compare official BLS survey data (2025) with real-time salary data from 37 recent job postings across 6 states.
Medical Assistant Salary Rankings — All States
Key Insights: The Cost of Living Reality
While Washington offers the highest raw salary for MAs at $59,290, it is crucial to factor in the state's cost of living (COL index of 115.1). When salaries are adjusted for actual purchasing power, the landscape shifts dramatically.
For example, a MA in Wisconsin making a raw median salary of $48,680 enjoys a COL index of 93.2, effectively giving them a purchasing power of $52,232 compared to the national baseline. States in the South and Midwest often provide a better ratio of income to living expenses, despite appearing lower on the raw salary rankings.
| Rank | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | COL Adjusted | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $28.17 | $59,290 | $51,512 | +34% |
| #2 | Alaska | $27.23 | $52,560 | $42,353 | +19% |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $26.39 | $51,050 | $33,563 | +15% |
| #4 | Minnesota | $24.84 | $50,480 | $52,041 | +14% |
| #5 | Oregon | $25.19 | $50,410 | $44,414 | +14% |
| #6 | California | $26.49 | $49,660 | $34,923 | +12% |
| #7 | Massachusetts | $24.93 | $49,460 | $37,584 | +12% |
| #8 | Wisconsin | $23.69 | $48,680 | $52,232 | +10% |
| #9 | Hawaii | $23.91 | $48,410 | $25,214 | +10% |
| #10 | Colorado | $23.80 | $48,400 | $46,051 | +10% |
| #11 | New Hampshire | $23.74 | $48,020 | $42,722 | +9% |
| #12 | New York | $23.44 | $48,000 | $34,508 | +9% |
| #13 | Maine | $23.56 | $47,580 | $42,673 | +8% |
| #14 | Connecticut | $23.37 | $47,430 | $42,048 | +7% |
| #15 | Nebraska | $23.10 | $47,370 | $51,266 | +7% |
| #16 | Vermont | $23.22 | $47,250 | $41,123 | +7% |
| #17 | New Jersey | $22.79 | $47,210 | $40,981 | +7% |
| #18 | Rhode Island | $22.86 | $47,190 | $41,761 | +7% |
| #19 | Montana | $22.39 | $46,820 | $47,198 | +6% |
| #20 | Maryland | $22.31 | $46,410 | $41,364 | +5% |
| #21 | Illinois | $22.01 | $46,090 | $48,211 | +4% |
| #22 | North Dakota | $22.53 | $45,980 | $48,967 | +4% |
| #23 | Arizona | $22.02 | $45,940 | $44,951 | +4% |
| #24 | Iowa | $21.60 | $45,480 | $50,872 | +3% |
| #25 | Utah | $21.52 | $45,360 | $44,254 | +3% |
| #26 | Nevada | $21.24 | $45,200 | $43,378 | +2% |
| #27 | North Carolina | $21.20 | $45,140 | $47,919 | +2% |
| #28 | Indiana | $21.39 | $45,110 | $49,845 | +2% |
| #29 | Virginia | $21.18 | $44,740 | $43,227 | +1% |
| #30 | Idaho | $21.27 | $44,700 | $44,925 | +1% |
| #31 | Delaware | $21.30 | $44,490 | $43,110 | +1% |
| #32 | Pennsylvania | $20.92 | $43,920 | $44,725 | -1% |
| #33 | Florida | $20.81 | $43,680 | $42,490 | -1% |
| #34 | Ohio | $20.49 | $42,810 | $46,634 | -3% |
| #35 | South Dakota | $20.28 | $41,870 | $44,733 | -5% |
| #36 | Georgia | $20.48 | $41,600 | $46,637 | -6% |
| #37 | South Carolina | $20.36 | $41,160 | $43,648 | -7% |
| #38 | Wyoming | $20.52 | $40,920 | $43,671 | -7% |
| #39 | Missouri | $20.21 | $40,440 | $45,033 | -9% |
| #40 | Michigan | $19.98 | $39,870 | $43,621 | -10% |
| #41 | Tennessee | $19.94 | $39,570 | $43,869 | -10% |
| #42 | Texas | $19.83 | $39,520 | $42,724 | -11% |
| #43 | Kansas | $19.95 | $39,510 | $45,206 | -11% |
| #44 | Kentucky | $19.68 | $39,270 | $43,633 | -11% |
| #45 | New Mexico | $19.95 | $39,230 | $41,957 | -11% |
| #46 | Oklahoma | $19.41 | $38,750 | $44,235 | -12% |
| #47 | Arkansas | $18.71 | $37,760 | $43,452 | -15% |
| #48 | West Virginia | $18.31 | $37,180 | $42,346 | -16% |
| #49 | Louisiana | $17.40 | $36,320 | $39,478 | -18% |
| #50 | Alabama | $17.68 | $36,100 | $40,976 | -18% |
| #51 | Mississippi | $17.42 | $35,360 | $41,698 | -20% |
What is a Medical Assistant (MA)?
A Medical Assistant (MA) is a multi-skilled healthcare professional who performs a blend of administrative and clinical tasks to support the operations of doctors' offices and clinics. Functioning as the "central nervous system" of the ambulatory care environment, an MA is the primary thread that connects the front office to the exam room, ensuring a seamless patient experience. In the trenches of a busy practice, the clinical weight of this role is felt in the precision of a blood draw, the accuracy of an EKG, and the vital communication that happens while rooming a patient. You are the first person a patient trusts with their health concerns and the last person who ensures their follow-up care is clearly understood, making you the indispensable engine of the modern outpatient clinic.
The path to becoming a Medical Assistant typically involves completing a Certificate or Associate Degree in Medical Assisting from an accredited vocational or community college. To stand out as a top-tier professional, most of us secure national certification such as the CMA (AAMA) or the RMA (AMT). In 2026, the landscape of medical assisting has become increasingly sophisticated, with MAs now serving as "care coordinators" who leverage AI-driven health record systems to track patient outcomes and facilitate complex telehealth visits. This modern scope of practice means we are no longer just assistants; we are tech-savvy clinicians who manage the sophisticated diagnostic tools and digital workflows that keep a 21st-century medical practice running at peak efficiency.
A Medical Assistant credential is a true professional "passport," offering an incredible degree of versatility and a gateway to the entire healthcare industry. Whether your passion lies in a high-energy orthopedic surgery center, a nurturing pediatric office, or a specialized dermatology clinic, your dual mastery of clinical skills and administrative strategy is the currency of the field. Many of us use this experience as a foundational bridge toward nursing or healthcare management, as the sheer variety of patients and procedures you encounter is unmatched. This career provides the autonomy to build a professional life in almost any medical specialty, ensuring you make a tangible, life-enhancing impact on every patient who walks through the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Medical Assistant salary in the US?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistant (MA) is $44,200 per year, or approximately $21.86 per hour based on 2025 BLS data.
Which state pays Medical Assistants the most?
Washington offers the highest Medical Assistant salary at $59,290 per year, while Mississippi is the lowest at $35,360.
What is the starting salary for a Medical Assistant?
Entry-level Medical Assistants in the US typically start around the 10th percentile, earning a national median of $36,708. With significant experience, top earners in the 90th percentile can make upwards of $54,901 annually.
Does the highest paying state for MAs offer the best standard of living?
Not necessarily. While Washington offers the highest raw salary at $59,290, its high cost of living means your purchasing power is lower. When adjusted for cost of living, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota often provide a better financial return for MAs.
How much does a Medical Assistant make an hour?
On a national level, a Medical Assistant makes a median of $21.86 per hour. However, depending on the state and facility, this can range from $17.65 for new graduates up to $26.39 for highly experienced directors or specialists.
Does a Medical Assistant make more than a standard Registered Nurse?
Yes, significantly more. While the national median for a standard Registered Nurse is roughly $93,600, a Medical Assistant averages $44,200. This premium compensation reflects the advanced Certificate or Diploma degree and specialized clinical training required for the role.