Medical Assistant Salary in Visalia, CA: $49,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Visalia, CA earns a median $49,483/year (≈ $23.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Visalia's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $49,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants is $49,483 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $47,961. This competitive figure reflects the ongoing demand for skilled professionals in the field, particularly within specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, which offer higher compensation opportunities compared to primary care settings. The salary range for medical assistants in the area spans from $38,545 at the 10th percentile to $59,056 at the 90th percentile, indicating notable variations based on experience, certifications, and type of employment. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys point to a robust market for medical assistants, essential as healthcare continues to expand in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,545 | $18.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,980 | $19.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,483 | $23.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,551 | $24.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,056 | $28.39 |
Median Salary Position
3.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Visalia
In Visalia, CA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,511 (2026 est.). At $49,483, the local median is 3.17% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Visalia: You'd be above the median
How Visalia Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Visalia median: $49,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Visalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $51,869 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +3.17% more |
Medical Assistants in Visalia, CA earn a median of $49,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.17% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 4.60% below the California state average of $51,869.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Visalia has a cost of living 0.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Visalia, CA has a cost-of-living index of 99.825 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $49,483 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,570 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.18% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,420
2025 BLS Actual
$47,140
2026 Current Est.
$49,483
2019–2027 Growth
+60.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Visalia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 45.4% from $32,420 (2019) to $47,140 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,522 (60.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Visalia 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) | $38,545 – $40,980 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,980 – $49,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,483 – $51,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,551 – $59,056 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Visalia
In Visalia, approximately 1,580 medical assistants are currently employed, contributing to a local job market that is experiencing steady growth. The cost-of-living index sits at 99.825, just below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of medical assistant pay in Visalia, CA. Among employers, specialty practices typically offer the highest compensation, followed by urgent care chains and hospital outpatient clinics. Variability in pay is driven by factors such as practice type, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications that stack onto the MA credential, particularly in areas like phlebotomy or EKG. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant salary in Visalia, pursuing advanced certifications and targeting specialty practices could lead to more lucrative opportunities, making the pursuit of further education and credentialing a prudent career choice.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical assistants make $100K in Visalia?
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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 $47,140 for medical assistantsin the Visalia 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