Medical Assistants
SOC 31-9092 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Medical Assistants is $42,000, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $43,350, and an estimated 763,040 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +17.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -0.5% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 12.5% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Medical Assistants has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $42,000 | $42,000 | 763,040 |
| 2022 | $38,270 | $39,845 | 752,460 |
| 2021 | $37,190 | $41,820 | 727,760 |
| 2020 | $35,850 | $42,207 | 710,200 |
Nominal change
+17.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-0.5%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+12.5%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
811,000
Projected 2034
912,200
Annual Openings
112,300
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Medical Assistants earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $42,000. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $52,600 | +25.2% | 17,580 |
| Alaska | $50,160 | +19.4% | 2,140 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $49,310 | +17.4% | 590 |
| Minnesota | $48,890 | +16.4% | 11,840 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $48,880 | +16.4% | 470 |
| District of Columbia | $48,710 | +16% | 2,580 |
| Oregon | $48,350 | +15.1% | 11,650 |
| Massachusetts | $47,770 | +13.7% | 16,260 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $47,690 | +13.5% | 670 |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $47,680 | +13.5% | 430 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$33,500
25th Pct
$36,780
Median
$42,000
75th Pct
$47,220
90th Pct
$56,480
Related Occupations in Healthcare Support
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Support occupations →