Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Camas, WA: $45,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,405 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,277 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($55,482) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those entering the medical assistant field in Camas, Washington can expect a starting salary around $45,405, a figure that sets the foundation for their early career. Compared to the city's median salary of $55,482, entry-level positions reflect a considerable gap, emphasizing the growth potential in the first few years of practice. New graduates often move through pay ranges as they gain experience and skills, estimating a path towards $47,386 within their first years, and ultimately aiming to reach the median pay as they approach the three to five-year mark in their careers. Given the upward trend in projected salaries and Camas's expanding healthcare industry, this city presents a promising market for new medical assistant graduates seeking to launch their careers.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
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 Camas
Entry-level medical assistants in Camas, WA typically start between $45,405 and $47,386 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,519 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $55,482 — 15.68% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Washington of $9,000 represents just 19.82% of the starting medical assistant pay ($45,405/year) in Camas. 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 Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $45,405 to $47,386, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, 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 Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Camas is $25,519 ( 56.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,405, experienced hygienists can earn up to $70,924.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,980
2025 BLS Actual
$43,255
2026 Current Est.
$45,405
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,661 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,980 in 2019 to $43,255 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,661. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas 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 Camas
Opportunities for new graduates abound in Camas, especially within primary care offices and urgent care chains, where structured onboarding programs often welcome the most recent graduates. These employers recognize the expertise of credentialed MAs, so those with diplomas or associate degrees from accredited programs—along with certification options like CMA (AAMA) or CCMA (NHA)—typically find enhanced earning potential. Specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedics, may favor candidates with some experience but offer significant pay premiums for those who qualify. As the MA workforce experiences rapid growth, especially in primary care settings and corporate occupational health, new graduates can anticipate realistic salary increases of around 5% annually over the first few years. Emphasizing certifications from bodies like AAMA or AMT, along with potential skills like phlebotomy, can further accelerate career advancement and compensation in this robust job market.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
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 Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas 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