Medical Assistant salary in Washington
Medical Assistants in Washington earn a median of $59,290 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,200 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $45,690. Washington ranks 1st of 51 states for medical assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.5 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,590, close to the median.
Pay range for medical assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| 25th percentile | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Median | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| 75th percentile | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Average (mean) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,940.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280.38 |
| Weekly | $1,140.19 |
| Hourly | $28.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $61,870 | 210 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $61,500 | 10,210 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $61,480 | 250 |
| Bellingham, WA | $57,410 | 510 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $56,240 | 6,390 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $56,020 | 140 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $55,700 | 580 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $55,680 | 610 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $51,720 | 2,090 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $50,820 | 850 |
| Yakima, WA | $49,310 | 710 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $49,230 | 370 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $44,570 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Massage Therapist | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $52,570 | $25.27 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Washington?
The median salary for medical assistants in Washington is $59,290 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Washington earn at least $74,200 a year. The top 25% earn $63,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,540 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $49,310 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Washington?
About 19,500 medical assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.