Medical Assistant Pay

Commerce City vs Fort Collins: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Commerce City, CO and Fort Collins, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Commerce City, CO
$46,729
$22.46/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$49,136
$23.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCommerce City, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$46,729$49,136
Hourly Rate$22.46$23.63
Entry Level (P10)$37,358$42,198
25th Percentile$39,397$47,079
75th Percentile$50,162$53,692
Top Earner (P90)$59,908$60,337
Total Employed16N/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Commerce City ($46,729) and Fort Collins ($49,136) medical assistant salaries.Commerce CityFort CollinsMedian Salary$46,729$49,136Entry Level (P10)$37,358$42,198Top Earner (P90)$59,908$60,337US Median $47,961

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Commerce City.

The salary gap between Commerce City and Fort Collins is $2,407 (5.15%). Fort Collins's median is +2.45% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Commerce City spans $22,550,Fort Collins spans $18,139. Commerce City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Commerce City
P10 (Entry)$37,358
P25$39,397
Median$46,729
P75$50,162
P90 (Top)$59,908
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$42,198
P25$47,079
Median$49,136
P75$53,692
P90 (Top)$60,337

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($48,588 effective) pays 9.18% more than Commerce City ($44,504 effective).

Commerce City
Nominal: $46,729
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $44,504
Fort Collins
Nominal: $49,136
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $48,588

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Commerce City if…

  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,136/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,337)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,588)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Commerce City grew -5.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.5% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Commerce City, CO

+-5.0%

$46,855 (2024) → $44,517 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+29.5%

$36,160 (2019) → $46,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Commerce City or Fort Collins?

Fort Collins has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,136/year, compared to Commerce City at $46,729/year — a difference of $2,407 (5.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Commerce City and Fort Collins?

Commerce City medical assistants earn $22.46/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $23.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Commerce City to Fort Collins as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Commerce City and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Commerce City = $44,504, Fort Collins = $48,588), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Commerce City vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $37,358 in Commerce City and $42,198 in Fort Collins. The Fort Collins area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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