Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Long Beach, CA: $36,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Long Beach, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,311 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Long Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $32,105 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,301) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the field as a medical assistant in Long Beach, CA, shows promising prospects, with a starting salary of $36,311 projected for 2026. This figure, while below the city median of $50,301, indicates a viable entry point for new graduates. As they gain experience, entry-level professionals can expect their earnings to progress through the tiers, potentially reaching $42,766 within a few years, and aligning closer to the median salary as they establish themselves in the workforce. Given the healthcare industry's continually expanding role in the region, Long Beach represents a solid environment for emerging medical assistants, particularly as employment opportunities burgeon.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Long Beach
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
Entry-level medical assistants in Long Beach, CA typically start between $36,311 and $42,766 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,875 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,301 — 4.88% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in California of $8,000 represents just 22.03% of the starting medical assistant pay ($36,311/year) in Long Beach. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Long Beach
- 1Research the Long Beach market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $36,311 to $42,766, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Long Beach, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Long Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Long Beach's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Long Beach is $33,875 ( 93.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,311, experienced hygienists can earn up to $70,186.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,776
2025 BLS Actual
$34,592
2026 Current Est.
$36,311
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,776 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,841 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,894 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,161 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,145 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,921 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,592 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,116 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Long Beach, CA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,776 in 2019 to $34,592 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,116. New graduates entering the Long Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Long Beach
In terms of employment landscape, primary care offices and urgent care facilities are the principal employers for new graduates in Long Beach. These organizations often provide structured onboarding programs tailored for those just starting out. In contrast, specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, typically seek candidates with 1-2 years of experience, which may deter entry-level applicants. To enhance their starting medical assistant salary in Long Beach, aspiring professionals should consider completing accredited diploma or associate programs, and obtaining national certifications from recognized organizations like AAMA or AMT. Additional credentials, such as phlebotomy and EKG certifications, can further increase marketability. With the demand for medical assistants projected to grow by an annual rate of 4.97%, determined new graduates stand to see their salaries increase within their first few years, especially if they explore opportunities in high-paying specialty practices where earnings can surpass typical entry-level wages by 20-40%.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Long Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov