Medical Assistant Pay

El Mirage vs Phoenix: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between El Mirage, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

El Mirage, AZ
$45,169
$21.72/hr
Phoenix, AZ
$49,157
$23.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEl Mirage, AZPhoenix, AZ
Median Salary$45,169$49,157
Hourly Rate$21.72$23.63
Entry Level (P10)$35,015$40,529
25th Percentile$39,748$43,867
75th Percentile$48,770$51,498
Top Earner (P90)$58,006$57,838
Total Employed815,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing El Mirage ($45,169) and Phoenix ($49,157) medical assistant salaries.El MiragePhoenixMedian Salary$45,169$49,157Entry Level (P10)$35,015$40,529Top Earner (P90)$58,006$57,838US Median $47,961

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to El Mirage.

The salary gap between El Mirage and Phoenix is $3,988 (8.83%). Phoenix's median is +2.49% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in El Mirage spans $22,991,Phoenix spans $17,309. El Mirage has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

El Mirage
P10 (Entry)$35,015
P25$39,748
Median$45,169
P75$48,770
P90 (Top)$58,006
Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$40,529
P25$43,867
Median$49,157
P75$51,498
P90 (Top)$57,838

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($47,579 effective) pays 3.76% more than El Mirage ($45,857 effective).

El Mirage
Nominal: $45,169
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $45,857
Phoenix
Nominal: $49,157
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $47,579

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose El Mirage if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,006)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,157/year)
  • Larger job market (15,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,579)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in El Mirage grew 7.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.6% growth in Phoenix over the same period.

El Mirage, AZ

+7.3%

$40,111 (2024) → $43,030 (2025)

Phoenix, AZ

+35.6%

$34,530 (2019) → $46,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: El Mirage or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,157/year, compared to El Mirage at $45,169/year — a difference of $3,988 (8.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between El Mirage and Phoenix?

El Mirage medical assistants earn $21.72/hr while Phoenix hygienists earn $23.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from El Mirage to Phoenix as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing El Mirage and Phoenix. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: El Mirage = $45,857, Phoenix = $47,579), job availability (8 vs 15,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in El Mirage vs Phoenix?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $35,015 in El Mirage and $40,529 in Phoenix. The Phoenix 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