Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Rialto, CA: $25.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Rialto, CA runs $25.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Rialto's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,703 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Rialto’s medical assistants earn a median hourly pay of $25.40, surpassing the national average of $23.06. This attractive rate gives part-time workers, who typically clock in around 24 hours a week, substantial earning potential. In typical settings such as primary care exam rooms or urgent care facilities, part-time MAs can expect to see consistent income. For professionals in Rialto, hourly compensation ranges widely, from $19.07 at the entry-level to $33.11 for top earners, demonstrating the varying demands and responsibilities assigned to medical assistants based on their experience and the specific healthcare environment. Given that these figures are based on projected estimates for 2026, the landscape indicates a healthy outlook for medical assistant hourly pay in Rialto, CA.
About the Rialto Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.07 | $152.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.55 | $164.43 |
| Median (P50) | $25.40 | $203.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.42 | $219.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.11 | $264.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rialto
Based on $25.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.40/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rialto, CA can expect to earn approximately $52,838 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,483. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rialto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rialto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,016.11 | $4,403 | $52,838 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $609.67 | $2,642 | $31,703 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $406.44 | $1,761 | $21,135 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Rialto) | $25.40 |
| 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 Rialto, CA earn a median of $52,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.16% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.80% above the California state average of $51,898.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.40/hr = $31,703/year (purchasing power: $28,031).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,838/year (purchasing power: $46,718).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rialto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Rialto grew 31.3% from $18.43/hr (2019) to $24.20/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.67/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 Rialto 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 Rialto
Part-time medical assistants working three days a week can anticipate annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, which creates an interesting dynamic in pay discussions. Per diem medical assistant pay in Rialto typically falls between $20 and $30 per hour, with specialty practices, such as dermatology and plastic surgery, offering rates between $25 and $38 per hour. Urgent care facilities may additionally provide stipends ranging from $50 to $150 for longer shifts, making these positions particularly attractive for those seeking flexible work arrangements. The type of employer also influences pay scales; while urgent care chains and corporate clinics often provide competitive rates, they may not offer the benefits that come with full-time positions, prompting some to choose lower hourly pay in exchange for insurance and retirement options. For medical assistants engaged in contract work or locum tenens, negotiating base pay can lead to increased earnings, but it’s essential to weigh those against the overall benefits packages when considering offers in various Rialto healthcare settings.
More salary data for Rialto, 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
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 Rialto. 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 Rialto 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