How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$45,690
Medical assistants in the U.S. earn a median of $45,690 a year, or $21.97 an hour. Half of medical assistants earn more than $45,690 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $59,310.
Pay percentiles for medical assistants
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.33 | $36,050 |
| 25th | $18.50 | $38,470 |
| 50th (median) | $21.97 | $45,690 |
| 75th | $23.65 | $49,180 |
| 90th | $28.52 | $59,310 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 | $28.50 | +30% |
| Alaska | $52,560 | $25.27 | +15% |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $24.54 | +12% |
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $24.27 | +10% |
| Oregon | $50,410 | $24.24 | +10% |
| California | $49,660 | $23.88 | +9% |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $23.78 | +8% |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $23.41 | +7% |
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $23.28 | +6% |
| Colorado | $48,400 | $23.27 | +6% |
| United States | $45,690 | $21.97 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many medical assistants are there?
BLS counts about 817,870 medical assistants employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (117,060), Texas (75,340) and Florida (66,110).
The mean (average) annual wage is $46,120, higher than the median of $45,690.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,808
- Biweekly
- $1,757
- Weekly
- $879
- Daily (8 hours)
- $176
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical assistants make an hour?
The median hourly wage for medical assistants is $21.97. The middle 50% earn between $18.50 and $23.65 an hour.
Which state pays medical assistants the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for medical assistants at $59,290, +30% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for medical assistants?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of medical assistants earn less than $36,050 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.