How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Arizona in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in Arizona earns about $22.09 per hour ($45,940 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,828 a month and $883 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. Most Medical Assistants in the state land within a fairly tight range around this figure.

Arizona's pay runs about 1% above the national figure of $45,690 a year, a modest but consistent edge. That places the state 23rd among all 51 states and territories ranked for this occupation. Arizona employs 21,460 Medical Assistants, compared with 817,870 nationwide, giving the state a solid base of clinics and offices staffing these roles.

Entry-level positions in Arizona typically offer around $18.32 an hour ($38,100 a year) for those just starting out. Pay tends to move up toward the state's typical $45,940 within the first several years on the job. New Medical Assistants often start in smaller clinics or under closer supervision before taking on more independent duties.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Arizona often earn upwards of $24.67 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $51,310 a year. The gap between entry-level and top pay comes to $13,210 a year. Setting, years on the job, and city all play a role in where an individual Medical Assistant lands within that range.

Arizona's pay for Medical Assistants has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical Medical Assistant earned $30,440 a year; by 2025, that figure reached $45,940. That's a gain of $15,500, or 51%, over ten years. The increase has been fairly consistent year over year rather than a sudden jump.

Nationally, Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same ten years, just slightly behind Arizona's gain. That puts the state's growth roughly in line with the rest of the country. For someone starting out now, pay has moved up steadily over the past decade, though past growth is no promise of future increases.

Chandler pays Medical Assistants the most in Arizona, with a typical $46,830 a year ($22.51 an hour), about 2% above the state figure. Phoenix and Mesa share that same figure, since Medical Assistants there are counted within the same metro area. Prescott and Prescott Valley follow closely behind at $45,820 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than just the city limits.

Lake Havasu City pays the least among Arizona's metro areas, at $40,690 a year ($19.56 an hour), a spread of $6,140 from the top of the range. Chandler also holds the largest Medical Assistant workforce in the state, with 15,410 employed there. Higher pay in the Phoenix metro area tends to track a higher cost of living, while lower-paying areas like Lake Havasu City are generally more affordable to live in.

Arizona pay sits below California ($49,660) and Colorado ($48,400), both running 5 to 8% higher, and roughly in line with Utah ($45,360) and Nevada ($45,200), within a percentage point or two. New Mexico pays noticeably less, at $39,230 a year, about 15% below Arizona. Certification and registration requirements can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, though each state sets its own process.

Medical Assistants in Arizona typically earn $45,940 a year ($22.09 an hour) as of May 2025, after a 51% rise over the past decade. Pay varies somewhat by city and experience level, but the overall trend has been upward. Readers considering this career in Arizona can check the state's certification and registry requirements, and look at city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.