2025–26 Medical Assistant Salary: Facts, Figures, Salaries by State

Medical assistants can go from obtaining a patient's vital signs to scheduling appointments to helping change a patient's bandages — all in the same morning. By completing additional training, you can become a certified medical assistant (CMA), which boosts both your value and competence. Wondering what the average medical assistant salary is? The answer depends on a number of factors.

This article will explore general questions about CMA pay rates. How much do CMAs make a year on average? What are some ways to increase your medical assistant salary? What does the job outlook for this position look like in the next decade? Let's find out.

What Is a Medical Assistant Salary on Average?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a medical assistant is $46,120 per year in the United States, or $22.17 per hour. Medical assistant pay ranges are affected by a handful of factors including geographic location (see the chart below), your years of experience, your education and training, and the type of facility that employs you.

Average CMA Salary by State

Wages for a medical assistant vary by location. This list is a handy guide to looking up the average CMA salaries and hourly rates by state according to the latest update from the BLS. If you're curious about new job opportunities, click the corresponding links to see the latest medical assistant jobs.

Best-Paying States for Medical Assistants 2025–2026

Where would you earn the highest CMA salary? The answer can change year over year, so it's important to keep an eye on the industry. According to the most recent available BLS data, these are the areas that have the highest certified medical assistant income:

• Washington
• Alaska
• California
• Washington, DC
• Oregon

CMA Salaries: FAQ

How much do medical assistants make in different healthcare settings?

While your location, education, and experience contribute to your CMA salary, so does the type of facility employing you. For example, outpatient care centers pay CMAs an annual average of $53,130, whereas specialty hospitals pay an annual average of $49,720.

What is the job outlook for medical assistants?

Becoming a CMA is a promising career path. The job growth of medical assistants is expected to increase by 12% over the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all other jobs. That's an additional 112,300 jobs created every year for the next 10 years. The high demand for your medical assistant skills means excellent job security for the foreseeable future.

What are some ways to increase my medical assistant salary?

• Negotiate your pay: Don't be shy. Try to negotiate your base salary when you receive a job offer. To balance your expectations, do some research to find out what medical assistants with your level of experience earn.
• Boost your credentials: By completing additional training to obtain the national certified medical assistant (NCMA) certification, you can potentially earn more money — not to mention increase your skills and fortify your medical assistant resume.
• Tweak your schedule: There's a chance a facility may offer shift differentials for evening, night, weekend, and holiday hours. This can bolster your base CMA salary.
• Work per diem: If your schedule allows, see if you can pick up a few per diem shifts here and there each month. If your employer doesn't have anything available, consider using an agency.
• Think about getting a new job: Because the demand for medical assistants is expected to keep increasing, see the kinds of pay and benefits other employers are offering.

Give Your Medical Assistant Salary an Upgrade

Need some help exploring your career options? Take a look at the latest CMA jobs to find one that fits your needs.