PayByState

Washington · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in Washington

Median $49,980 · Top 10% earn $70,320+ · Roughly 16,808 workers in Washington. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Washington median
$49,980
$24.03/hr
Top 10%
$70,320
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$37,190
Entry-level range
Real pay
$45,519
CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.8)

Washington pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for medical assistants — $49,980 versus the national median of $42,000. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 16,808 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in Washington

Washington sits in the top quartile of U.S. medical assistant pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

Top-paying metros in Washington

Washington-area metropolitan areas with the highest medical assistant medians.

Washington metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $54,200

Washington ranks #4 of 50 states

Where Washington sits in the national distribution for medical assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Washington
#3 New York $50,400 +$420
#2 District of Columbia $50,820 +$840
#1 California $51,660 +$1,680
#4 Washington (this page) $49,980 —
#5 Alaska $48,720 −$1,260
#6 Oregon $47,880 −$2,100
#7 Massachusetts $47,460 −$2,520
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Washington

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (most common); some on-the-job, taking about 9 months. Tuition ranges from $1,200 (community college) to $18,000 (private accelerated). On the Washington median of $49,980, payback periods are typically 1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Medical Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Washington selected.

Medical Assistant salary in Washington — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in Washington?
The median medical assistant salary in Washington is $49,980 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $37,190; the top 10% earn $70,320 or more. About 16,808 people work in this role across the state.
How does Washington medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
Washington's median of $49,980 is $7,980 above the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 109.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $45,519.
Where does Washington pay medical assistants the most?
Top-paying metros in Washington include Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $54,200. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is medical assistant a good career in Washington?
On the data: Washington employs roughly 16,808 medical assistants, with a median wage of $49,980 and the top decile clearing $70,320. The role is projected to grow +14% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for medical assistants in Washington?
At the Washington median of $49,980 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $24.03/hr. The top 10% earn around $33.81/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $17.88/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Washington-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9092: Medical Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Washington's RPP is 109.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.