Medical Assistant Pay

Bellevue vs Spokane: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Bellevue, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bellevue, WA
$65,190
$31.34/hr
Spokane, WA
$54,290
$26.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellevue, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$65,190$54,290
Hourly Rate$31.34$26.11
Entry Level (P10)$48,844$46,082
25th Percentile$52,863$48,748
75th Percentile$70,479$62,646
Top Earner (P90)$89,395$65,480
Total Employed262,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellevue ($65,190) and Spokane ($54,290) medical assistant salaries.BellevueSpokaneMedian Salary$65,190$54,290Entry Level (P10)$48,844$46,082Top Earner (P90)$89,395$65,480US Median $47,961

Verdict

Bellevue, WA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Bellevue and Spokane is $10,900 (20.08%). Bellevue's median is +35.92% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellevue spans $40,551,Spokane spans $19,398. Bellevue has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellevue
P10 (Entry)$48,844
P25$52,863
Median$65,190
P75$70,479
P90 (Top)$89,395
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$46,082
P25$48,748
Median$54,290
P75$62,646
P90 (Top)$65,480

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellevue ($60,698 effective) pays 12.19% more than Spokane ($54,103 effective).

Bellevue
Nominal: $65,190
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $60,698
Spokane
Nominal: $54,290
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $54,103

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellevue if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,190/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,395)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,698)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (2,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Bellevue grew 9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.0% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Bellevue, WA

+9.0%

$56,959 (2024) → $62,103 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+41.0%

$36,680 (2019) → $51,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Bellevue or Spokane?

Bellevue has a higher median medical assistant salary at $65,190/year, compared to Spokane at $54,290/year — a difference of $10,900 (20.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellevue and Spokane?

Bellevue medical assistants earn $31.34/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $26.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellevue to Spokane as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellevue and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellevue = $60,698, Spokane = $54,103), job availability (26 vs 2,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Bellevue vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $48,844 in Bellevue and $46,082 in Spokane. The Bellevue area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov