Healthcare
Medical Assistant — Career & Salary Intelligence
Medical Assistant careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$45,690
Entry (p10)
$36,050
Top 10% (p90)
$59,310
Career score
50/100
Moderate Career
Career overview
Medical Assistant careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 75/100. Automation risk 35/100. Remote-work compatibility 18/100.
What the job pays nationally
The published wage distribution for this occupation, before any location adjustment. These are pay percentiles, not years of experience \u2014 the source data does not link the two.
| Percentile | What it means | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 1 in 10 earn less than this | $36,050 |
| 25th percentile | 1 in 4 earn less than this | $38,470 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $45,690 |
| 75th percentile | 1 in 4 earn more than this | $49,180 |
| 90th percentile | 1 in 10 earn more than this | $59,310 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $48,370 | $59,910 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $47,760 | $73,940 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $47,270 | $57,360 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $42,110 | $49,360 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $46,830 | $55,100 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $45,890 | $53,400 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $39,180 | $46,870 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $49,420 | $66,340 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $43,100 | $55,620 |
| San Jose, CA | 202 | $61,940 | $79,620 |
| Austin, TX | 119 | $45,820 | $54,820 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 93 | $42,600 | $47,950 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $46,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $54,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $65,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $82,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $101,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $73,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
Board Certification (specialty)
Sub-specialty income premium
Approx. uplift: +20%
ACLS / PALS
Acute-care role eligibility
Approx. uplift: +4%
MSN / DNP (advanced practice)
Advanced-practice nursing pathway
Approx. uplift: +22%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
50/100
Moderate
Moderate Career
Compensation
27/100
Weak
Growth
80/100
Excellent
Demand
64/100
Moderate
Stability
75/100
Strong
Advancement
31/100
Weak
Remote flexibility
18/100
Weak
Frequently asked questions about Medical Assistant
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.