Medical Assistant Salary in Alexandria, VA: $48,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Alexandria, VA earns a median $48,544/year (≈ $23.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $47,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.0% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, medical assistants in Alexandria, Virginia can expect a median annual salary of $48,544, reflecting a competitive local landscape when compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role is wide, with entry-level positions starting around $38,938 while more experienced professionals can earn up to $64,636. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, suggest a healthy local economy for medical assistants, particularly in specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, where compensation tends to be significantly higher than in primary care settings. This trend highlights the importance of specialization in enhancing earning potential within the Alexandria job market.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,938 | $18.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,198 | $19.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,544 | $23.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,316 | $25.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,636 | $31.07 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, VA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,698 (2026 est.). At $48,544, the local median is 1.22% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alexandria Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $48,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $42,213 | +15.00% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +1.22% more |
Medical Assistants in Alexandria, VA earn a median of $48,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 15.00% above the Virginia state average of $42,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,544 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,039 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,223
2025 BLS Actual
$46,246
2026 Current Est.
$48,544
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,223 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,286 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,736 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,511 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $35,223 (2019) to $46,246 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,734 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $38,938 – $41,198 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,198 – $48,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,544 – $53,316 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,316 – $64,636 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Alexandria
The employment scene for medical assistants in Alexandria consists of approximately 26 individuals in the field, indicating a localized yet growing market. With a cost of living index of 103.2, which is slightly above the national average, it is crucial for professionals to consider how their salary translates into real purchasing power. Specialty clinics, particularly those focusing on cardiology, dermatology, and orthopedics, tend to offer the top salaries, outpacing wages in primary care. Factors driving the salary variations include experience in specialized tasks, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications such as phlebotomy or EKG training. For those looking to optimize their earnings in Alexandria, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT and targeting employment in faster-growing sectors like urgent care can provide a strategic advantage.
More salary data for Alexandria, VA:
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 $46,246 for medical assistantsin the Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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