Medical Assistant Salary in Portland, OR: $59,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Portland, OR earns a median $59,035/year (≈ $28.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $55,999 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.4% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Portland, Oregon, reaches a median annual figure of $59,035, which is significantly higher than the national median of $47,961. The full salary range for this role spans from $48,454 at the 10th percentile to $66,446 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Portland's diverse market gives rise to a bilingual premium, which can positively impact compensation, reflecting the city's vibrant multicultural landscape. With the growing demand for healthcare services, job opportunities abound for medical assistants in the Portland area, creating a competitive wage environment influenced by the variety of employers in this space.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,454 | $23.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,173 | $24.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,035 | $28.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,284 | $30.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,446 | $31.94 |
Median Salary Position
23.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,992 (2026 est.). At $59,035, the local median is 23.09% above the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Portland median: $59,035/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $52,522 | +12.40% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +23.09% more |
Medical Assistants in Portland, OR earn a median of $59,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.09% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 12.40% above the Oregon state average of $52,522.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,035 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,999 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,010
2025 BLS Actual
$56,240
2026 Current Est.
$59,035
2019–2027 Growth
+47.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 33.9% from $42,010 (2019) to $56,240 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,959 (47.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $48,454 – $51,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,173 – $59,035 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,035 – $64,284 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,284 – $66,446 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Portland
Employing approximately 6,390 medical assistants, the Portland job market shows strong support for healthcare roles, which are essential as the industry expands. The cost-of-living index in Portland is set at 105.421, resulting in nuanced implications for take-home pay despite the higher salaries. Employers such as specialty practices in dermatology and orthopedics often offer the most competitive pay, sometimes exceeding the averages due to the demand for specialized skills. This pay disparity is driven by factors like specialty practice premiums, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications. For those in the field looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing relevant certifications and considering roles in urgent care or specialty practices can help enhance their salary potential. Additionally, recognizing the local market dynamics can provide candidates with a strategic advantage in salary negotiations in Portland OR.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $56,240 for medical assistantsin the Portland 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