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

A typical Medical Assistant in Washington earns about $28.50 per hour ($59,290 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes out to roughly $4,941 a month or $1,140 a week, based on the annual figure. Pay varies by city, employer, and experience, but this figure represents the typical wage across the state.

That pay sits 30% above the national figure of $45,690 a year ($21.97 an hour) for Medical Assistants, per the same May 2025 data. Washington ranks 1st out of 51 states tracked for this occupation, the highest pay nationwide. About 19,500 Medical Assistants work across the state, a sizable workforce that puts this figure on solid footing.

Entry-level positions in Washington typically offer around $22.38 an hour ($46,540 a year) for Medical Assistants just starting out. Some newcomers land closer to $23.71 an hour ($49,310 a year) depending on the employer and setting. Pay tends to move toward the typical $28.50-an-hour rate within the first few years on the job.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Washington often earn upwards of $30.57 an hour ($63,590 a year). The top 10% of earners make over $35.67 an hour, or $74,200 a year, well above the typical rate. That puts the gap between entry-level and top pay at $27,660 a year, a spread shaped mostly by work setting, years of experience, and which city the job is in.

Washington Medical Assistant pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. Typical pay rose from $35,910 in 2015 to $59,290 in 2025, a gain of $23,380. That amounts to a 65% increase over ten years for Medical Assistants across the state.

Nationally, Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same ten years, so Washington's climb has outpaced the country as a whole. For someone starting out now, that history shows pay in this field has moved up steadily in Washington, though past gains do not guarantee future increases.

Pay runs highest in Anacortes, where Medical Assistants typically earn $61,870 a year ($29.74 an hour), about 4% above the statewide figure. Mount Vernon matches that same figure, and Tacoma and Seattle follow close behind at $61,500 a year. These metro-area figures reflect pay across the full surrounding metro, not just the city center.

At the other end, East Wenatchee posts the lowest typical pay in the state at $49,230 a year ($23.67 an hour), putting the statewide city spread at $12,640. Tacoma has the largest Medical Assistant workforce of any Washington city, with 10,210 employed there. Cities with lower pay generally carry a lower cost of living, which helps offset the difference in take-home pay.

Washington pays Medical Assistants more than each of its neighbors. Alaska's typical pay is $52,560 a year, about 11% lower than Washington's figure, while Oregon sits at $50,410, roughly 15% lower. Idaho trails furthest behind at $44,700 a year, 25% below Washington. Medical Assistant licensure or certification requirements can often transfer or be recognized between neighboring states, so a move across the border rarely means starting over.

Medical Assistants in Washington typically earn $59,290 a year ($28.50 an hour), a figure that has climbed 65% since 2015. That growth has outpaced the national trend, and pay stays highest in the Anacortes and Puget Sound area. Readers weighing a move into the field can check Washington's state licensing or registry requirements, and compare local numbers using the individual city pages for a closer look.