Medical Assistant Salary in Riverside, CA: $49,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Riverside, CA earns a median $49,021/year (≈ $23.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $46,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, medical assistants can expect a median annual salary of $49,021 in 2026, surpassing the national average of $47,961 by 2.21%. The salary spectrum for this profession in Riverside ranges from $40,455 at the 10th percentile to a robust $65,459 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a competitive job market for qualified candidates. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the demand for bilingual medical assistants who command a premium in diverse communities, contributing to the city's favorable compensation rates. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.97% in medical assistant positions over the next five years, Riverside stands as an expanding hub for healthcare support roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,455 | $19.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,467 | $22.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,021 | $23.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,459 | $31.47 |
Median Salary Position
2.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,004 (2026 est.). At $49,021, the local median is 2.21% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Riverside median: $49,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,874 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +2.21% more |
Medical Assistants in Riverside, CA earn a median of $49,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.21% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 5.50% below the California state average of $51,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,021 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,054 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,080
2025 BLS Actual
$46,700
2026 Current Est.
$49,021
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 41.2% from $33,080 (2019) to $46,700 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,377 (55.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,455 – $47,467 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,467 – $49,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,021 – $53,650 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,650 – $65,459 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Riverside
The local job market in Riverside features approximately 11,280 medical assistants, clustering around various healthcare settings that influence salaries. With a cost-of-living index of 106.442, potential earnings must be weighed against living expenses, which are slightly above the national average. Among the employers offering the highest medical assistant pay in Riverside CA are specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, known for providing significant salary premiums over primary care positions. Factors driving the disparity between lower and higher salaries include the specialty area of practice, potential bilingual pay differences, additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG, and roles in urgent care clinics. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking placements in high-demand specialties, as well as utilizing local networks, can be effective strategies to enhance their overall compensation in this evolving market.
More salary data for Riverside, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,700 for medical assistantsin the Riverside metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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