Medical Assistant Salary by State

Pay for medical assistants varies a lot depending on where you work, so a single national number only gets you so far. Updated for 2026, this page uses the latest official federal wage data (the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates) to show median and mean pay for medical assistants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, in one searchable, sortable table.

MAThe MA·NET Editorial Team7 min readLast updated July 3, 2026

On this page

Medical assistant salary by every state
How to read this table
Why pay varies so much between states
What this data does not tell you
What to read next

A national median is a useful anchor, but medical assistant pay really depends on where you are. The same role can pay noticeably more or less from one state to the next, mostly because of local cost of living and demand. This page puts the official state figures in one place so you can look up your own state instead of guessing from a single national number.

Medical assistant salary by every state

The table below shows the latest official BLS figures for each state and the District of Columbia. Search for your state, or sort by any column to compare. Median pay is usually the better number to focus on, since it is not pulled upward by a small number of very high earners.

Highest median pay

$59,290

Washington · $28.50/hr

Lowest median pay

$35,360

Mississippi · $17.00/hr

Most employed

117,060

California · people employed

National median

$45,690

$21.97/hr · all US

51 of 51 areas (incl. DC) · BLS OEWS, May 2025

Sort by


Alabama	$17.35	$36,100	$17.68	$36,770	13,300
Alaska	$25.27	$52,560	$27.23	$56,630	2,140
Arizona	$22.09	$45,940	$22.02	$45,790	21,460
Arkansas	$18.15	$37,760	$18.71	$38,930	5,150
California	$23.88	$49,660	$26.49	$55,100	117,060
Colorado	$23.27	$48,400	$23.80	$49,490	13,160
Connecticut	$22.81	$47,430	$23.37	$48,610	10,250
Delaware	$21.39	$44,490	$21.30	$44,300	2,880
District of Columbia	$24.54	$51,050	$26.39	$54,890	2,260
Florida	$21.00	$43,680	$20.81	$43,290	66,110
Georgia	$20.00	$41,600	$20.48	$42,590	28,780
Hawaii	$23.28	$48,410	$23.91	$49,730	3,890
Idaho	$21.49	$44,700	$21.27	$44,240	5,250
Illinois	$22.16	$46,090	$22.01	$45,770	20,260
Indiana	$21.69	$45,110	$21.39	$44,500	19,630
Iowa	$21.87	$45,480	$21.60	$44,930	5,990
Kansas	$19.00	$39,510	$19.95	$41,490	5,510
Kentucky	$18.88	$39,270	$19.68	$40,940	13,440
Louisiana	$17.46	$36,320	$17.40	$36,180	12,310
Maine	$22.88	$47,580	$23.56	$49,000	4,480
Maryland	$22.31	$46,410	$22.31	$46,390	16,390
Massachusetts	$23.78	$49,460	$24.93	$51,850	14,880
Michigan	$19.17	$39,870	$19.98	$41,550	27,810
Minnesota	$24.27	$50,480	$24.84	$51,660	10,580
Mississippi	$17.00	$35,360	$17.42	$36,240	3,340
Missouri	$19.44	$40,440	$20.21	$42,030	13,050
Montana	$22.51	$46,820	$22.39	$46,570	2,460
Nebraska	$22.78	$47,370	$23.10	$48,040	2,380
Nevada	$21.73	$45,200	$21.24	$44,170	7,760
New Hampshire	$23.09	$48,020	$23.74	$49,390	3,000
New Jersey	$22.70	$47,210	$22.79	$47,400	20,330
New Mexico	$18.86	$39,230	$19.95	$41,490	5,400
New York	$23.08	$48,000	$23.44	$48,750	40,710
North Carolina	$21.70	$45,140	$21.20	$44,090	23,650
North Dakota	$22.11	$45,980	$22.53	$46,870	600
Ohio	$20.58	$42,810	$20.49	$42,610	28,950
Oklahoma	$18.63	$38,750	$19.41	$40,370	10,510
Oregon	$24.24	$50,410	$25.19	$52,400	11,840
Pennsylvania	$21.12	$43,920	$20.92	$43,500	23,050
Rhode Island	$22.69	$47,190	$22.86	$47,550	3,210
South Carolina	$19.79	$41,160	$20.36	$42,340	12,110
South Dakota	$20.13	$41,870	$20.28	$42,170	1,340
Tennessee	$19.02	$39,570	$19.94	$41,480	19,180
Texas	$19.00	$39,520	$19.83	$41,240	75,340
Utah	$21.81	$45,360	$21.52	$44,760	9,990
Vermont	$22.71	$47,250	$23.22	$48,300	1,140
Virginia	$21.51	$44,740	$21.18	$44,050	16,650
Washington	$28.50	$59,290	$28.17	$58,590	19,500
West Virginia	$17.87	$37,180	$18.31	$38,090	4,540
Wisconsin	$23.41	$48,680	$23.69	$49,280	13,810
Wyoming	$19.67	$40,920	$20.52	$42,680	1,040

Alabama$36,100/yr
Median hourly: $17.35Employed: 13,300
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $17.68Mean annual: $36,770
Alaska$52,560/yr
Median hourly: $25.27Employed: 2,140
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $27.23Mean annual: $56,630
Arizona$45,940/yr
Median hourly: $22.09Employed: 21,460
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.02Mean annual: $45,790
Arkansas$37,760/yr
Median hourly: $18.15Employed: 5,150
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $18.71Mean annual: $38,930
California$49,660/yr
Median hourly: $23.88Employed: 117,060
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $26.49Mean annual: $55,100
Read the California guide
Colorado$48,400/yr
Median hourly: $23.27Employed: 13,160
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.80Mean annual: $49,490
Connecticut$47,430/yr
Median hourly: $22.81Employed: 10,250
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.37Mean annual: $48,610
Delaware$44,490/yr
Median hourly: $21.39Employed: 2,880
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.30Mean annual: $44,300
District of Columbia$51,050/yr
Median hourly: $24.54Employed: 2,260
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $26.39Mean annual: $54,890
Florida$43,680/yr
Median hourly: $21.00Employed: 66,110
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.81Mean annual: $43,290
Read the Florida guide
Georgia$41,600/yr
Median hourly: $20.00Employed: 28,780
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.48Mean annual: $42,590
Hawaii$48,410/yr
Median hourly: $23.28Employed: 3,890
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.91Mean annual: $49,730
Idaho$44,700/yr
Median hourly: $21.49Employed: 5,250
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.27Mean annual: $44,240
Illinois$46,090/yr
Median hourly: $22.16Employed: 20,260
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.01Mean annual: $45,770
Indiana$45,110/yr
Median hourly: $21.69Employed: 19,630
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.39Mean annual: $44,500
Iowa$45,480/yr
Median hourly: $21.87Employed: 5,990
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.60Mean annual: $44,930
Kansas$39,510/yr
Median hourly: $19.00Employed: 5,510
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.95Mean annual: $41,490
Kentucky$39,270/yr
Median hourly: $18.88Employed: 13,440
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.68Mean annual: $40,940
Louisiana$36,320/yr
Median hourly: $17.46Employed: 12,310
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $17.40Mean annual: $36,180
Maine$47,580/yr
Median hourly: $22.88Employed: 4,480
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.56Mean annual: $49,000
Maryland$46,410/yr
Median hourly: $22.31Employed: 16,390
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.31Mean annual: $46,390
Massachusetts$49,460/yr
Median hourly: $23.78Employed: 14,880
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $24.93Mean annual: $51,850
Michigan$39,870/yr
Median hourly: $19.17Employed: 27,810
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.98Mean annual: $41,550
Minnesota$50,480/yr
Median hourly: $24.27Employed: 10,580
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $24.84Mean annual: $51,660
Mississippi$35,360/yr
Median hourly: $17.00Employed: 3,340
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $17.42Mean annual: $36,240
Missouri$40,440/yr
Median hourly: $19.44Employed: 13,050
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.21Mean annual: $42,030
Montana$46,820/yr
Median hourly: $22.51Employed: 2,460
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.39Mean annual: $46,570
Nebraska$47,370/yr
Median hourly: $22.78Employed: 2,380
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.10Mean annual: $48,040
Nevada$45,200/yr
Median hourly: $21.73Employed: 7,760
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.24Mean annual: $44,170
New Hampshire$48,020/yr
Median hourly: $23.09Employed: 3,000
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.74Mean annual: $49,390
New Jersey$47,210/yr
Median hourly: $22.70Employed: 20,330
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.79Mean annual: $47,400
New Mexico$39,230/yr
Median hourly: $18.86Employed: 5,400
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.95Mean annual: $41,490
New York$48,000/yr
Median hourly: $23.08Employed: 40,710
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.44Mean annual: $48,750
Read the New York guide
North Carolina$45,140/yr
Median hourly: $21.70Employed: 23,650
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.20Mean annual: $44,090
North Dakota$45,980/yr
Median hourly: $22.11Employed: 600
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.53Mean annual: $46,870
Ohio$42,810/yr
Median hourly: $20.58Employed: 28,950
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.49Mean annual: $42,610
Read the Ohio guide
Oklahoma$38,750/yr
Median hourly: $18.63Employed: 10,510
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.41Mean annual: $40,370
Oregon$50,410/yr
Median hourly: $24.24Employed: 11,840
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $25.19Mean annual: $52,400
Pennsylvania$43,920/yr
Median hourly: $21.12Employed: 23,050
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.92Mean annual: $43,500
Read the Pennsylvania guide
Rhode Island$47,190/yr
Median hourly: $22.69Employed: 3,210
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $22.86Mean annual: $47,550
South Carolina$41,160/yr
Median hourly: $19.79Employed: 12,110
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.36Mean annual: $42,340
South Dakota$41,870/yr
Median hourly: $20.13Employed: 1,340
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.28Mean annual: $42,170
Tennessee$39,570/yr
Median hourly: $19.02Employed: 19,180
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.94Mean annual: $41,480
Texas$39,520/yr
Median hourly: $19.00Employed: 75,340
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $19.83Mean annual: $41,240
Read the Texas guide
Utah$45,360/yr
Median hourly: $21.81Employed: 9,990
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.52Mean annual: $44,760
Vermont$47,250/yr
Median hourly: $22.71Employed: 1,140
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.22Mean annual: $48,300
Virginia$44,740/yr
Median hourly: $21.51Employed: 16,650
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $21.18Mean annual: $44,050
Washington$59,290/yr
Median hourly: $28.50Employed: 19,500
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $28.17Mean annual: $58,590
West Virginia$37,180/yr
Median hourly: $17.87Employed: 4,540
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $18.31Mean annual: $38,090
Wisconsin$48,680/yr
Median hourly: $23.41Employed: 13,810
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $23.69Mean annual: $49,280
Wyoming$40,920/yr
Median hourly: $19.67Employed: 1,040
Mean (average) pay
Mean hourly: $20.52Mean annual: $42,680

Employment is people employed in the occupation, not current job openings.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, medical assistants (SOC 31-9092), all industries. Covers the 50 states and the District of Columbia (51 areas). Annual figures are full-time-equivalent estimates (about 2,080 hours a year). These are estimates for the occupation, not guaranteed pay for any specific job.

Top 5 by median annual pay

1. Washington$59,290
2. Alaska$52,560
3. District of Columbia$51,050
4. Minnesota$50,480
5. Oregon$50,410

Top 5 by employment

1. California117,060
2. Texas75,340
3. Florida66,110
4. New York40,710
5. Ohio28,950

Published state guides

In-depth guides to the rules and pay in these states, with more added over time.

California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Ohio

For the national picture and a full breakdown of pay from lower to higher earners, see our main medical assistant salary guide.

How to read this table

A few habits keep you from misreading a real number:

Median is the midpoint, not your expected pay. Half of medical assistants in a state earn more than the median and half earn less. Where you land depends on the factors below.
Median versus mean. The mean (average) is pulled upward by a small number of very high earners, so the median is usually the better guide to typical pay. The table shows both so you can compare them.
Match the geography to yourself. A statewide figure blends big metros and rural areas. Your own city or metro can differ from the state number, so also look up local data where you can.
Hourly versus annual. Most medical assistant roles are paid hourly. The annual figures here are full-time-equivalent estimates, roughly the hourly wage times about 2,080 hours a year. If you work part-time or variable hours, your annual earnings will differ.
Employment is not openings. The "employed" column is how many people work in the occupation in that state, not how many jobs are currently open.

Why pay varies so much between states

State differences are not random. The main drivers are:

Cost of living. Higher-cost states tend to have higher wages, but that higher pay often just keeps pace with higher rent and expenses, so a bigger number is not automatically more money in your pocket.
Demand and the local job market. Where medical assistants are in higher demand, pay tends to follow.
Employer and setting mix. States differ in how much of the work sits in hospitals, large health systems, or private practices, and those settings pay differently.
Experience levels. A statewide figure reflects the mix of newer and more experienced workers in that state.

Because of all this, weigh any state figure against local cost of living rather than chasing the biggest number. Our salary guide covers what moves pay within a state in more detail.

What this data does not tell you

This is wage data, and only wage data. It is worth being clear about what it does not cover:

It is not a personal salary quote. These are occupation-wide estimates, not a figure for a specific job, employer, or person.
It is not job-opening or hiring data. For current demand, read local job postings.
It is not scope-of-practice or certification rules. How much a state pays is a separate question from what a medical assistant is allowed to do there or what credentials employers expect. For those, see our scope of practice guide and certification guide.
It does not factor in cost of living. A high median in an expensive state can go less far than a lower median in a cheaper one.

What to read next

Medical assistant salary, the national picture and what moves pay
Medical assistant jobs, where the roles are and how to read a posting
How to become a medical assistant, the full path into the field
Scope of practice, what medical assistants can and cannot do, which varies by state
Becoming a medical assistant in California, a state guide covering its rules and pay
Becoming a medical assistant in Texas, how the state's delegation model and pay work
Becoming a medical assistant in Florida, the state's statutory duties and pay
Becoming a medical assistant in New York, one of the stricter states, and its pay
Becoming a medical assistant in Pennsylvania, its physician-delegation rules and pay
Becoming a medical assistant in Ohio, its delegation rules for medical tasks and pay

Disclosure: Wage figures on this page are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS estimates for the May 2025 reference period, the latest official data available (released by BLS in 2026). Newer 2026 reference-period figures are not published yet. These are estimates for the occupation as a whole, not a promise of what any individual will earn, and BLS updates them annually. Wage data is separate from a state's scope-of-practice or certification requirements. Always check current BLS figures and your local data for your own situation.

Sources

We cite primary and authoritative sources. Links open in a new tab.

1.Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Medical Assistants (31-9092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. View source
2.OEWS State Wage Data (Medical Assistants, by state), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. View source

Frequently asked questions

Which state pays medical assistants the most?

In the BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the highest state medians are in the Pacific Northwest and a few higher-cost states, with Washington near the top of the range at about $59,290 a year. But a higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so a bigger figure does not always mean more take-home value. Sort the table by median annual pay to see the current order, and weigh any figure against local living costs.

Why is the pay so different from state to state?

Several things drive it: local cost of living, how much demand there is for medical assistants, the mix of employers and settings in the state, and typical experience levels. Because these factors differ everywhere, state medians in this data span a wide range, from the mid-$30,000s to the high-$50,000s a year. Match the geography to your own situation rather than reading a national average as local.

Is this the same as what I will personally earn?

No. These are statewide estimates for the whole occupation, not a personal quote. Your own pay depends on your city or metro, your employer, your experience, your schedule, the setting you work in, and whether a role prefers or requires a certification. Use the state figure as a benchmark, then look at local job postings for your area.

Does the employment number mean job openings?

No. The employment figure is how many people were employed as medical assistants in that state at the time of the estimate, not how many jobs are open. It is a useful sign of how large the field is in a state, but it does not tell you current hiring demand. For openings, check current job postings in your area.

Written & reviewed by

The MA·NET Editorial Team

Editorial Team

Our editors research training paths, certification requirements, and career data, then review every guide for clarity and accuracy before it goes live.

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