Medical Assistant Pay

Boise City vs Pocatello: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Boise City, ID and Pocatello, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$48,612
$23.37/hr
Pocatello, ID
$39,479
$18.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDPocatello, ID
Median Salary$48,612$39,479
Hourly Rate$23.37$18.98
Entry Level (P10)$39,280$33,464
25th Percentile$41,327$37,842
75th Percentile$50,963$46,659
Top Earner (P90)$60,883$48,937
Total Employed2,360400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($48,612) and Pocatello ($39,479) medical assistant salaries.Boise CityPocatelloMedian Salary$48,612$39,479Entry Level (P10)$39,280$33,464Top Earner (P90)$60,883$48,937US Median $47,961

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pocatello.

The salary gap between Boise City and Pocatello is $9,133 (23.13%). Boise City's median is +1.36% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $21,603,Pocatello spans $15,473. Boise City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$39,280
P25$41,327
Median$48,612
P75$50,963
P90 (Top)$60,883
Pocatello
P10 (Entry)$33,464
P25$37,842
Median$39,479
P75$46,659
P90 (Top)$48,937

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($49,407 effective) pays 11.26% more than Pocatello ($44,405 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $48,612
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $49,407
Pocatello
Nominal: $39,479
CoL Index: 88.906
Adjusted: $44,405

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,612/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,883)
  • Larger job market (2,360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,407)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Pocatello if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Boise City grew 29.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in Pocatello over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+29.7%

$35,700 (2019) → $46,310 (2025)

Pocatello, ID

+12.4%

$33,450 (2019) → $37,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Boise City or Pocatello?

Boise City has a higher median medical assistant salary at $48,612/year, compared to Pocatello at $39,479/year — a difference of $9,133 (23.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Pocatello?

Boise City medical assistants earn $23.37/hr while Pocatello hygienists earn $18.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Pocatello as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Pocatello. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $49,407, Pocatello = $44,405), job availability (2,360 vs 400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Boise City vs Pocatello?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,280 in Boise City and $33,464 in Pocatello. The Boise City area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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