Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Medical assistants (SOC 31-9092) employed 817,870 people in May 2025. The median pay is $45,690 a year ($21.97 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,050 and the highest-paid 10% more than $59,310. BLS projects its employment to change by +12.9% between 2025 and 2035 (about 109,700 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest median pay: Washington ($59,290), Alaska ($52,560), District of Columbia ($51,050). Most jobs: California (117,060), Texas (75,340), Florida (66,110).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 25th percentile | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Median | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Mean | $46,120 | $22.17 |
| 75th percentile | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $59,310 | $28.51 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 833,900 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 941,500 |
| Change in jobs | 107,600 |
| Percent change | +12.9% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 109,700 |
| Self-employed share | 0.2% |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 13,300 | 1.20 | $36,100 | $29,630 | $45,040 | -21% | 36% |
| Alaska | 2,140 | 1.25 | $52,560 | $46,060 | $65,040 | +15% | 33% |
| Arizona | 21,460 | 1.26 | $45,940 | $38,100 | $51,310 | +1% | 44% |
| Arkansas | 5,150 | 0.75 | $37,760 | $30,840 | $46,060 | -17% | 31% |
| California | 117,060 | 1.22 | $49,660 | $39,290 | $77,300 | +9% | 51% |
| Colorado | 13,160 | 0.87 | $48,400 | $39,130 | $59,760 | +6% | 45% |
| Connecticut | 10,250 | 1.15 | $47,430 | $38,480 | $59,530 | +4% | 39% |
| Delaware | 2,880 | 1.13 | $44,490 | $36,540 | $57,280 | -3% | 41% |
| District of Columbia | 2,260 | 0.61 | $51,050 | $39,620 | $76,900 | +12% | 45% |
| Florida | 66,110 | 1.27 | $43,680 | $35,880 | $49,040 | -4% | 50% |
| Georgia | 28,780 | 1.12 | $41,600 | $34,270 | $51,430 | -9% | 43% |
| Hawaii | 3,890 | 1.18 | $48,410 | $38,580 | $60,030 | +6% | 48% |
| Idaho | 5,250 | 1.16 | $44,700 | $35,500 | $56,740 | -2% | 37% |
| Illinois | 20,260 | 0.63 | $46,090 | $36,400 | $56,590 | +1% | 34% |
| Indiana | 19,630 | 1.17 | $45,110 | $37,060 | $50,480 | -1% | 29% |
| Iowa | 5,990 | 0.73 | $45,480 | $36,730 | $54,960 | -0% | 26% |
| Kansas | 5,510 | 0.73 | $39,510 | $35,140 | $48,300 | -14% | 33% |
| Kentucky | 13,440 | 1.28 | $39,270 | $32,950 | $47,940 | -14% | 30% |
| Louisiana | 12,310 | 1.21 | $36,320 | $28,970 | $44,460 | -21% | 35% |
| Maine | 4,480 | 1.33 | $47,580 | $40,220 | $59,220 | +4% | 31% |
| Maryland | 16,390 | 1.13 | $46,410 | $36,930 | $57,250 | +2% | 44% |
| Massachusetts | 14,880 | 0.78 | $49,460 | $43,280 | $61,870 | +8% | 45% |
| Michigan | 27,810 | 1.20 | $39,870 | $35,000 | $48,330 | -13% | 35% |
| Minnesota | 10,580 | 0.68 | $50,480 | $40,110 | $60,100 | +10% | 31% |
| Mississippi | 3,340 | 0.55 | $35,360 | $29,210 | $45,070 | -23% | 34% |
| Missouri | 13,050 | 0.85 | $40,440 | $35,810 | $48,360 | -11% | 32% |
| Montana | 2,460 | 0.92 | $46,820 | $38,670 | $56,770 | +2% | 30% |
| Nebraska | 2,380 | 0.44 | $47,370 | $37,940 | $59,450 | +4% | 28% |
| Nevada | 7,760 | 0.95 | $45,200 | $37,400 | $55,120 | -1% | 45% |
| New Hampshire | 3,000 | 0.83 | $48,020 | $39,640 | $60,100 | +5% | 39% |
| New Jersey | 20,330 | 0.90 | $47,210 | $37,010 | $58,070 | +3% | 46% |
| New Mexico | 5,400 | 1.18 | $39,230 | $34,600 | $47,850 | -14% | 34% |
| New York | 40,710 | 0.80 | $48,000 | $37,280 | $59,480 | +5% | 41% |
| North Carolina | 23,650 | 0.91 | $45,140 | $36,010 | $50,850 | -1% | 36% |
| North Dakota | 600 | 0.27 | $45,980 | $37,650 | $58,230 | +1% | 26% |
| Ohio | 28,950 | 0.99 | $42,810 | $36,050 | $48,560 | -6% | 31% |
| Oklahoma | 10,510 | 1.17 | $38,750 | $31,880 | $47,640 | -15% | 32% |
| Oregon | 11,840 | 1.14 | $50,410 | $43,760 | $62,160 | +10% | 38% |
| Pennsylvania | 23,050 | 0.72 | $43,920 | $36,810 | $48,500 | -4% | 34% |
| Rhode Island | 3,210 | 1.22 | $47,190 | $39,280 | $56,840 | +3% | 36% |
| South Carolina | 12,110 | 1.00 | $41,160 | $34,730 | $49,110 | -10% | 37% |
| South Dakota | 1,340 | 0.56 | $41,870 | $35,980 | $48,960 | -8% | 29% |
| Tennessee | 19,180 | 1.11 | $39,570 | $34,840 | $48,540 | -13% | 39% |
| Texas | 75,340 | 1.02 | $39,520 | $31,200 | $49,260 | -14% | 45% |
| Utah | 9,990 | 1.09 | $45,360 | $35,890 | $56,260 | -1% | 42% |
| Vermont | 1,140 | 0.72 | $47,250 | $40,570 | $58,420 | +3% | 33% |
| Virginia | 16,650 | 0.77 | $44,740 | $37,090 | $52,000 | -2% | 44% |
| Washington | 19,500 | 1.04 | $59,290 | $46,540 | $74,200 | +30% | 37% |
| West Virginia | 4,540 | 1.23 | $37,180 | $30,890 | $45,350 | -19% | 28% |
| Wisconsin | 13,810 | 0.89 | $48,680 | $39,480 | $57,990 | +7% | 28% |
| Wyoming | 1,040 | 0.70 | $40,920 | $31,200 | $51,840 | -10% | 29% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | 1,360 | $77,410 | $47,150 | $77,800 | 1.80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 1,550 | $64,820 | $46,770 | $79,890 | 1.44 |
| Napa, CA | 320 | $62,050 | $45,890 | $79,730 | 0.78 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 7,410 | $61,970 | $45,330 | $78,090 | 1.30 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 6,400 | $61,940 | $49,370 | $79,620 | 1.07 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 10,210 | $61,500 | $48,120 | $76,360 | 0.93 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 14,320 | $59,790 | $47,070 | $79,750 | 1.15 |
| Bellingham, WA | 510 | $57,410 | $47,610 | $63,490 | 1.06 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 6,390 | $56,240 | $46,160 | $63,300 | 1.01 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 580 | $55,700 | $46,420 | $66,300 | 0.84 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 610 | $55,680 | $46,980 | $65,670 | 1.23 |
| Ithaca, NY | 390 | $53,760 | $38,400 | $53,760 | 1.54 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 7,390 | $52,570 | $45,160 | $60,100 | 0.72 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1,370 | $51,930 | $45,870 | $65,040 | 1.47 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 2,090 | $51,720 | $43,900 | $62,380 | 1.56 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 380 | $51,460 | $41,310 | $55,310 | 1.50 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 410 | $51,200 | $41,600 | $60,220 | 1.06 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 850 | $50,820 | $40,280 | $63,500 | 1.24 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 10,750 | $50,740 | $46,070 | $62,500 | 0.76 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 2,020 | $50,680 | $43,210 | $67,570 | 1.19 |
| Salem, OR | 1,090 | $50,240 | $43,630 | $62,160 | 1.10 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 960 | $50,090 | $40,690 | $75,140 | 1.85 |
| Bend, OR | 840 | $50,080 | $44,680 | $61,450 | 1.47 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,870 | $49,990 | $38,830 | $78,080 | 1.82 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 1,040 | $49,980 | $41,600 | $62,980 | 1.25 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 380 | $49,900 | $44,050 | $65,500 | 0.77 |
| Rochester, MN | 440 | $49,830 | $45,990 | $60,650 | 0.69 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 6,440 | $49,700 | $45,500 | $60,580 | 0.76 |
| Kenosha, WI | 340 | $49,620 | $38,890 | $56,980 | 0.84 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 4,170 | $49,590 | $41,040 | $58,990 | 0.97 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 370 | $49,560 | $41,390 | $56,400 | 1.15 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 850 | $49,520 | $38,940 | $72,730 | 1.32 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 480 | $49,510 | $38,950 | $59,140 | 1.86 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 1,660 | $49,500 | $39,820 | $63,270 | 1.57 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | 370 | $49,480 | $39,780 | $55,800 | 0.93 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 9,370 | $49,420 | $43,340 | $66,340 | 1.16 |
| Yuba City, CA | 430 | $49,410 | $37,830 | $61,870 | 1.61 |
| Appleton, WI | 450 | $49,330 | $39,950 | $58,790 | 0.69 |
| Yakima, WA | 710 | $49,310 | $40,770 | $61,090 | 1.39 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 370 | $49,230 | $40,640 | $62,210 | 1.39 |
| Corvallis, OR | 340 | $48,890 | $41,880 | $60,230 | 1.67 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,080 | $48,890 | $40,730 | $59,550 | 1.10 |
| Medford, OR | 900 | $48,820 | $44,210 | $58,240 | 1.93 |
| Madison, WI | 2,080 | $48,750 | $40,500 | $58,720 | 0.97 |
| Boulder, CO | 970 | $48,590 | $42,950 | $62,000 | 0.96 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 1,880 | $48,540 | $41,090 | $61,050 | 1.24 |
| Springfield, MA | 1,280 | $48,510 | $40,450 | $56,110 | 1.21 |
| New Haven, CT | 2,220 | $48,400 | $39,190 | $62,090 | 1.50 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 44,060 | $48,370 | $37,390 | $59,910 | 0.88 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 460 | $48,230 | $38,900 | $56,320 | 0.93 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 660 | $48,160 | $39,560 | $58,030 | 1.47 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 1,400 | $48,010 | $39,120 | $59,110 | 0.53 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 750 | $47,990 | $37,640 | $58,850 | 1.14 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 2,790 | $47,970 | $38,340 | $59,320 | 1.31 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 570 | $47,960 | $38,820 | $55,690 | 1.28 |
| Green Bay, WI | 800 | $47,910 | $38,320 | $56,940 | 0.88 |
| Wausau, WI | 510 | $47,870 | $39,340 | $57,870 | 1.39 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 880 | $47,840 | $39,620 | $60,150 | 0.84 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,740 | $47,840 | $36,460 | $78,150 | 1.14 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 39,770 | $47,760 | $39,160 | $73,940 | 1.21 |
The median is $45,690 a year ($21.97 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $36,050 and the highest-paid tenth over $59,310 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
817,870 in May 2025, and BLS projects +12.9% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS).
Washington, with a median of $59,290 (among states with published figures).