Medical Assistant Salary in Tampa, FL: $46,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Tampa, FL earns a median $46,691/year (≈ $22.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $46,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the medical assistant salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $46,691 by 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $47,961. This disparity often reflects the local economic conditions and the demographic diversity of the region, where bilingual medical assistants, especially those fluent in Spanish and Mandarin, can command higher pay due to their ability to cater to a wider patient base. Salary ranges for medical assistants in Tampa vary significantly, starting at $38,692 at the 10th percentile and climbing to $51,950 for those at the 90th percentile. Data derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights this unique market, showcasing how an increasingly diverse patient population influences compensation strategies within healthcare facilities across the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,692 | $18.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,046 | $19.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,691 | $22.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,105 | $23.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,950 | $24.97 |
Median Salary Position
2.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,258 (2026 est.). At $46,691, the local median is 2.65% below the national median of $47,961.
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How Tampa Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Tampa median: $46,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $43,393 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.65% less |
Medical Assistants in Tampa, FL earn a median of $46,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 7.60% above the Florida state average of $43,393.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,691 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,279 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,250
2025 BLS Actual
$44,480
2026 Current Est.
$46,691
2019–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 37.9% from $32,250 (2019) to $44,480 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,761 (51.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $38,692 – $40,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,046 – $46,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,691 – $49,105 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,105 – $51,950 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Tampa
The medical assistant job market in Tampa employs about 9,310 professionals, reflecting a healthy demand that aligns with the area's growing healthcare needs. The cost of living in Tampa, slightly higher than the national average, sits at a CoL index of 100.89, which affects the purchasing power of medical assistants. Employers such as specialty practices—particularly in dermatology and orthopedics—tend to offer the most competitive salaries, often due to the higher skill sets required in these fields. Factors influencing the salary spread include the specialty premiums for advanced skills, as well as the bilingual premium; those with additional certifications in phlebotomy or EKG may significantly enhance their earning potential. To maximize their pay in this vibrant market, medical assistants should consider obtaining multiple certifications and seeking positions within specialty practices or urgent care facilities, which tend to offer more attractive compensation packages.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
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 $44,480 for medical assistantsin the Tampa 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