Medical Assistant Pay

Manassas vs Richmond: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Manassas, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Manassas, VA
$41,039
$19.73/hr
Richmond, VA
$46,701
$22.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricManassas, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$41,039$46,701
Hourly Rate$19.73$22.45
Entry Level (P10)$34,153$39,689
25th Percentile$35,342$40,655
75th Percentile$44,447$48,192
Top Earner (P90)$52,926$49,273
Total Employed93,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Manassas ($41,039) and Richmond ($46,701) medical assistant salaries.ManassasRichmondMedian Salary$41,039$46,701Entry Level (P10)$34,153$39,689Top Earner (P90)$52,926$49,273US Median $47,961

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manassas.

The salary gap between Manassas and Richmond is $5,662 (13.80%). Richmond's median is -2.63% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manassas spans $18,773,Richmond spans $9,584. Manassas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Manassas
P10 (Entry)$34,153
P25$35,342
Median$41,039
P75$44,447
P90 (Top)$52,926
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$39,689
P25$40,655
Median$46,701
P75$48,192
P90 (Top)$49,273

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($47,723 effective) pays 20.01% more than Manassas ($39,766 effective).

Manassas
Nominal: $41,039
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $39,766
Richmond
Nominal: $46,701
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $47,723

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Manassas if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,926)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,701/year)
  • Larger job market (3,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,723)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Manassas grew -2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.4% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Manassas, VA

+-2.6%

$40,136 (2024) → $39,096 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+31.4%

$33,860 (2019) → $44,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Manassas or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,701/year, compared to Manassas at $41,039/year — a difference of $5,662 (13.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Manassas and Richmond?

Manassas medical assistants earn $19.73/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $22.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Manassas to Richmond as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Manassas and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Manassas = $39,766, Richmond = $47,723), job availability (9 vs 3,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Manassas vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $34,153 in Manassas and $39,689 in Richmond. The Richmond 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