Medical Assistant Salary in Kennewick, WA: $53,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Kennewick, WA earns a median $53,346/year (≈ $25.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $53,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kennewick, Washington, the projected median annual salary for a medical assistant in 2026 stands at $53,346, reflecting a notable 11.23% increase compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary spectrum for this role ranges from $42,282 at the 10th percentile to $66,656 at the 90th percentile, as derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. This pay discrepancy often results from the specialty practice premium; positions in dermatology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery tend to offer higher compensation compared to primary care settings. Given these dynamics, Kennewick presents a thriving market for skilled medical assistants, with robust opportunities for those seeking positions that emphasize specialty care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,282 | $20.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,483 | $23.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,346 | $25.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,300 | $29.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,656 | $32.05 |
Median Salary Position
11.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,374 (2026 est.). At $53,346, the local median is 11.23% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kennewick Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $53,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $58,493 | -8.80% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +11.23% more |
Medical Assistants in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $53,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.23% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 8.80% below the Washington state average of $58,493.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,346 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,304 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,790
2025 BLS Actual
$50,820
2026 Current Est.
$53,346
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 38.1% from $36,790 (2019) to $50,820 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,207 (52.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $42,282 – $49,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,483 – $53,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,346 – $62,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,300 – $66,656 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Kennewick
In the local job market, approximately 850 medical assistants are currently employed in Kennewick, contributing to a steadily growing healthcare sector. The cost-of-living index of 100.079 indicates a slightly above-average expense level, which affects take-home purchasing power for medical assistants. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, as well as urgent care chains and corporate occupational health clinics. The variation in salary within the area can be influenced by factors like specialty focus, bilingual capabilities, additional certifications such as phlebotomy or EKG, and lead roles. To maximize compensation in Kennewick, pursuing certifications from recognized entities like AAMA, AMT, or NHA, as well as building experience in high-demand specialties, can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 $50,820 for medical assistantsin the Kennewick 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