Medical Assistant Salary in Forest Grove, OR: $51,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Forest Grove, OR earns a median $51,274/year (≈ $24.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Forest Grove's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $49,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Forest Grove, Oregon, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $51,274, notably higher than the national median of $47,961, reflecting a competitive market for healthcare professionals in the area. The full salary range for medical assistants spans from $40,337 at the 10th percentile to $63,380 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied landscape based on specialty practice and experience. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data suggest that practitioners working in specialized fields such as dermatology or orthopedics can expect enhanced pay compared to those in primary care settings. This trend highlights the financial upside of pursuing advanced skills and certifications in high-demand specializations within Forest Grove's healthcare market.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,337 | $19.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,432 | $20.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,274 | $24.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,859 | $25.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
Median Salary Position
6.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forest Grove
In Forest Grove, OR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,043 (2026 est.). At $51,274, the local median is 6.91% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Forest Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Forest Grove Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Forest Grove median: $51,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Forest Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $52,534 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +6.91% more |
Medical Assistants in Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $51,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.91% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $52,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Forest Grove has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Forest Grove, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,274 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,975 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,204
2025 BLS Actual
$48,846
2026 Current Est.
$51,274
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,204 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,326 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,759 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,913 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,082 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,846 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,822 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Forest Grove metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $37,204 (2019) to $48,846 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,822 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,618 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forest Grove 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) | $40,337 – $42,432 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,432 – $51,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,274 – $53,859 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,859 – $63,380 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Forest Grove
Despite only four medical assistants currently employed in Forest Grove, the local job market remains promising, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.97% for this occupation. The cost of living index sits at 102.6, which points to a slightly elevated expense of living compared to the national average, influencing the effective purchasing power of medical assistants' salaries in the region. Employers such as specialty practices and urgent care chains are typically behind the higher compensation packages, especially for those who hold additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG. Maximizing pay in this local market can be achieved by seeking employment in higher-paying specialties and striving for bilingual skills, which are increasingly valuable and may command premium wages. Exploring opportunities in urgent care chains and hospital outpatient clinics could further enhance job prospects and financial returns for medical assistants in Forest Grove, OR.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
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 $48,846 for medical assistantsin the Forest Grove 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
Salary data for Forest Grove 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