Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Oro Valley, AZ: $21.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Oro Valley, AZ runs $21.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Oro Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,502 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oro Valley, Arizona, the medical assistant hourly pay reflects a median rate of $21.24, which falls below the national average of $23.06. For part-time medical assistants working three days a week, this translates to about $1,700 gross per month, offering a sufficient income for those who pursue flexible schedules. Per-diem roles, commonly found in primary care exam rooms, urgent care intake stations, and specialty practices, provide a variable range of pay depending on the setting. Entry-level medical assistants can expect to earn around $17.40 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $26.28, reinforcing the value of experience and specialization in maximizing earnings in this field.
About the Oro Valley Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.40 | $139.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.75 | $142.00 |
| Median (P50) | $21.24 | $169.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.37 | $178.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.28 | $210.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oro Valley
Based on $21.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.24/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oro Valley, AZ can expect to earn approximately $44,170 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,483. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oro Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oro Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $849.42 | $3,681 | $44,170 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $509.65 | $2,208 | $26,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $339.77 | $1,472 | $17,668 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Oro Valley) | $21.24 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Oro Valley, AZ earn a median of $44,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.93% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 5.20% below the Arizona state average of $46,582.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.24/hr = $26,502/year (purchasing power: $26,905).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,170/year (purchasing power: $44,842).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Oro Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Oro Valley grew 31.3% from $15.41/hr (2019) to $20.23/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oro Valley 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Oro Valley
The earning potential for part-time medical assistants in Oro Valley, working 24 hours a week, results in an annual gross income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For those seeking flexibility, per-diem opportunities can yield higher hourly compensation; for example, many agencies pay between $20-$30 per hour, while specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedic clinics, can offer per-diem rates ranging from $25 to $38. In urgent care settings, where shifts may extend to 12 hours, additional stipends of $50-$150 can further enhance earnings. It's crucial for medical assistants to understand how their hourly rates vary across different employers, from primary care offices to corporate clinics, and to consider the trade-offs between higher pay without benefits versus lower pay with health insurance options. Additionally, being proactive in negotiating hourly rates can lead to better outcomes, particularly for those fresh out of certified programs by bodies like AAMA, AMT, or NHA.
More salary data for Oro Valley, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Oro Valley. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oro Valley 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