Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Waco, TX: $19.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Waco, TX runs $19.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,844 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Waco's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,511 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, Texas, medical assistants earn a median hourly rate of $19.64, which falls below the national hourly median of $23.06. This rate can significantly influence the income of those working part-time, such as three days a week, allowing for approximately $19,000 annually if they maintain a typical 24-hour work schedule. The hourly range for medical assistants in this area varies from $16.85 at the entry-level to $24.33 for those at the higher end, reflecting the diverse settings in which they work. Medical assistants may find employment across multiple environments, including primary care exam rooms, specialty practice procedure rooms, urgent care intake stations, outpatient clinic rooms, and corporate workplace clinics. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.85 | $134.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.43 | $147.46 |
| Median (P50) | $19.64 | $157.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.78 | $182.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.33 | $194.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waco
Based on $19.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.64/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waco, TX can expect to earn approximately $40,851 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,568. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $785.60 | $3,404 | $40,851 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.36 | $2,043 | $24,511 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.24 | $1,362 | $16,340 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Waco) | $19.64 |
| 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 Waco, TX earn a median of $40,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.84% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.70% above the Texas state average of $39,387.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.64/hr = $24,511/year (purchasing power: $26,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,851/year (purchasing power: $44,139).
CoL index: 92.55 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Waco grew 21.3% from $15.43/hr (2019) to $18.71/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.62/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 Waco 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 Waco
Examining the earning potential for part-time medical assistants reveals that those working 24 hours a week can expect far lower annual income compared to full-time counterparts but often value flexibility. Per diem medical assistants in Waco typically charge $20-$30 per hour, with higher specialties like dermatology or plastics achieving rates between $25 and $38 hourly. Moreover, urgent care roles can provide enticing stipends for lengthy shifts, adding $50 to $150 on top of the base pay. Differences in hourly pay across employer categories are notable, with specialty practices offering a 20-40% premium over primary care settings. Many in the profession must weigh the benefits of lower pay against job security and health insurance. When negotiating hourly wages, medical assistants should be aware of the local market dynamics and the value of certification through bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT, especially in fast-growing sectors like corporate occupational health and urgent care clinics in Waco, TX.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
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 Waco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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