Medical Assistant Salary 2026: Full Guide With State-by-State Breakdown

If you're researching medical assistant salary 2026, this updated guide gives you the most accurate and current earning information for new and experienced Medical Assistants nationwide. Salaries have increased due to healthcare shortages, clinic expansions, and high demand across urgent care, pediatrics, and primary care settings. This guide breaks down national averages, state-by-state wages, hourly vs. yearly pay, and how online training programs like Clinical Skills Institute help students enter the workforce faster.

National Medical Assistant Salary 2026 (Quick Answer)

In 2026, the average Medical Assistant salary in the United States is:

⭐ $19.75 – $27.50 per hour

⭐ $38,500 – $57,800 per year

Pay varies by:

• State

• Certification (NHA CCMA earns higher)

• Clinic type

• Experience

• Demand

• Shift (evening/weekend pays more)

Students searching for medical assistant salary 2026 are often looking for fast, affordable pathways into healthcare with strong earning potential—and MA is one of the highest-demand entry-level clinical roles.

Medical Assistant Salary 2026 — High-Paying States

These states currently offer the strongest pay:

State	Hourly	Yearly
California	$23.00–$29.00	$47,000–$60,000
Washington	$22.00–$28.00	$45,000–$58,000
Oregon	$21.00–$26.50	$43,000–$55,000
Massachusetts	$21.00–$26.00	$43,000–$54,000
New York	$20.00–$26.00	$41,000–$54,000

High-cost states pay more because clinics are competing for talent.

Medical Assistant Salary 2026 — Low-Cost States (Still Strong Pay)

Even the “lower-pay states” offer solid wages because demand is skyrocketing.

State	Hourly	Yearly
Alabama	$16.00–$19.50	$33,000–$40,000
Mississippi	$16.00–$19.00	$32,500–$39,500
Arkansas	$16.50–$20.00	$34,000–$41,000
Oklahoma	$17.00–$20.50	$35,000–$42,000
Ohio	$17.00–$21.00	$35,000–$44,000

MA salaries have increased due to:

• Aging population

• Staffing shortages

• More primary care centers

• Expanded insurance coverage

• Growth of urgent care centers

Hourly vs. Yearly Pay — What to Expect in 2026

Hourly Pay Trends (2026)

Most new Medical Assistants earn between:

→ $18–$23/hour in clinics

→ $22–$27/hour in urgent care

→ $25–$30/hour in specialty clinics

Yearly Pay (2026)

Typical range:

→ $38,500–$57,800/year

Many clinics also offer:

• Overtime

• Shift differentials

• Benefits package

• Tuition reimbursement

• Paid externship-to-hire pathways

Does Certification Increase Medical Assistant Salary 2026?

YES — certified MAs earn more.

⭐ NHA CCMA-certified MAs earn $2–$6 more per hour.

Why:

• Certified MAs can do more clinical tasks

• Clinics prefer CCMA graduates

• Certified MAs require less training

• Certification increases credibility and employability

This is why CSI offers a fast, affordable CCMA pathway that includes:

• NHA exam

• Six NHA practice exams

• Full online training

• Externship support

Medical Assistant Salary by Clinic Type (2026)

⭐ Highest paying specialties:

• Dermatology

• Orthopedics

• Cardiology

• Oncology

• Urology

• Gastroenterology

⭐ Higher-paying environments:

• Urgent care

• Surgery centers

• Large hospital systems

• Multi-specialty clinics

⭐ Lower-paying environments:

• Primary care

• Pediatrics

• Family practice

Even lower-paying clinics still offer reliable employment and growth.

Medical Assistant Salary Growth (2023–2026)

Medical Assistant wages have grown 12% in the last 3 years, driven by:

• National staffing shortages

• Expansion of urgent care chains

• Increased patient volume

• More outpatient care centers

• Providers relying more on MAs for clinical support

Because of this, high search volume surrounds the keyword medical assistant salary 2026, making this topic a powerful SEO driver.

How to Increase Your Medical Assistant Salary in 2026

You can boost your earning potential by:

✔ Getting the NHA CCMA certification

✔ Completing an externship

✔ Choosing a higher-paying specialty

✔ Moving to a high-demand area

✔ Getting EKG or phlebotomy skills

✔ Building 1 year of experience

CSI prepares students for these opportunities faster than other programs.

Fastest Path to a Higher Medical Assistant Salary 2026

Clinical Skills Institute helps students increase earning power through:

• $810 tuition

  
  

• NHA exam included

  
  

• 6 NHA practice exams

  
  

• Self-paced MA training (8–12 weeks)

  
  

• Externship support

  
  

• Job support

  
  

• National acceptance in 49 states

  
  

Students can go from training → certification → job in 2–4 months.

⭐ FINAL ANSWER — Medical Assistant Salary 2026

The typical medical assistant salary 2026 ranges from:

⭐ $38,500 to $57,800 per year,

with strong growth expected over the next decade.

This makes Medical Assisting one of the top healthcare careers for career changers, parents, and premeds.

Start Training for a Medical Assistant Career Today

Enroll today at Clinical Skills Institute:

✔ Only $810

✔ NHA exam included

✔ Self-paced

✔ Externship support

✔ Job support

✔ Accepted in 49 states

Become certified in 8–12 weeks and start earning fast.