Medical Assistant Pay

Issaquah vs Kennewick: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Issaquah, WA
$57,738
$27.75/hr
Kennewick, WA
$53,346
$25.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIssaquah, WAKennewick, WA
Median Salary$57,738$53,346
Hourly Rate$27.75$25.64
Entry Level (P10)$46,458$42,282
25th Percentile$48,592$49,483
75th Percentile$60,212$62,300
Top Earner (P90)$70,438$66,656
Total Employed9850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Issaquah ($57,738) and Kennewick ($53,346) medical assistant salaries.IssaquahKennewickMedian Salary$57,738$53,346Entry Level (P10)$46,458$42,282Top Earner (P90)$70,438$66,656US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Issaquah and Kennewick is $4,392 (8.23%). Issaquah's median is +20.39% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Issaquah spans $23,980,Kennewick spans $24,374. Kennewick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Issaquah
P10 (Entry)$46,458
P25$48,592
Median$57,738
P75$60,212
P90 (Top)$70,438
Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$42,282
P25$49,483
Median$53,346
P75$62,300
P90 (Top)$66,656

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Issaquah ($53,760 effective) pays 0.86% more than Kennewick ($53,304 effective).

Issaquah
Nominal: $57,738
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $53,760
Kennewick
Nominal: $53,346
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $53,304

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Issaquah if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,738/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,438)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,760)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Larger job market (850 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Issaquah grew -0.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.1% growth in Kennewick over the same period.

Issaquah, WA

+-0.3%

$55,150 (2024) → $55,004 (2025)

Kennewick, WA

+38.1%

$36,790 (2019) → $50,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Issaquah or Kennewick?

Issaquah has a higher median medical assistant salary at $57,738/year, compared to Kennewick at $53,346/year — a difference of $4,392 (8.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Issaquah and Kennewick?

Issaquah medical assistants earn $27.75/hr while Kennewick hygienists earn $25.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Issaquah to Kennewick as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Issaquah and Kennewick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Issaquah = $53,760, Kennewick = $53,304), job availability (9 vs 850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Issaquah vs Kennewick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $46,458 in Issaquah and $42,282 in Kennewick. The Issaquah 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