Senior Medical Assistant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $59,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical assistants working in Great Falls, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $59,151/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-9092. Strip back Great Falls's price premium (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $61,078 in average-cost America. The 20% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, MT, experienced medical assistants can anticipate a competitive salary landscape in 2026, where top-tier professionals can achieve annual earnings of up to $59,151. This figure represents the 90th percentile, reflecting the wages earned by the highest skilled individuals in the field. Moreover, the median annual salary for seasoned medical assistants in this region is projected to be $49,168, illustrating a notable experience premium that rewards professionals with seven or more years in the workforce. Achieving these top medical assistant salaries in Great Falls requires not only extensive clinical expertise but also continuous education and specialization in high-demand areas like phlebotomy and cross-training in various medical procedures.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Experienced medical assistants at the top of the pay scale in Great Falls earn between $50,092 and $59,151 per year (2026 est.). This $19,903 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Great Falls median of $49,168 sits 2.52% above the US median.
Top MA, CMA Salary Comparison
| Level | Great Falls | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $49,168 | $47,961 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,092 | $51,624 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $59,151 | $62,258 |
In Great Falls, experienced medical assistants (P90) earn 20.30% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Assistant Pay in Great Falls
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT medical assistants with additional specialty certifications within the medical assisting field earn significantly above the $49,168 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Great Falls employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical assisting field in Great Falls command premium compensation, often reaching the $50,092–$59,151 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Great Falls metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical assistants in Great Falls with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Assistants in Montana who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Great Falls
Clinical Medical Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Assistant
5-10 yearsMedical Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGreat Falls ranks #4 of 7 Montana cities for top earner medical assistant salary (90th percentile: $59,151).
Top 10% medical assistant compensation in Great Falls ($59,151) is 1.4% above the Montana average P90 ($58,334).
2019 BLS Actual
$44,770
2025 BLS Actual
$56,350
2026 Current Est.
$59,151
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,090 | Projected |
Top-earning medical assistants (90th percentile) in Great Falls saw their compensation grow 25.9% from $44,770 in 2019 to $56,350 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 4.97% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $62,090 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Assistant Earnings in Great Falls
At the senior level, the salary dynamics shift based on several factors, including industry specialization and employer type. Medical assistants with expertise in areas such as dermatology, OB-GYN, or pediatric care frequently command a premium, enhancing their compensation beyond the median. Additionally, differences in compensation can be observed among various employer types; for instance, primary care offices and urgent care chains may offer different pay scales compared to specialized practices and hospital outpatient clinics. Prospective senior medical assistants might consider positions as clinical operations supervisors or embark on advancement pathways toward becoming practice managers, with advanced credentials like CMA or RMA yielding higher salaries. In Great Falls, non-salary incentives, such as specialty pay and bilingual bonuses, further contribute to enhancing total compensation for these seasoned professionals.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical assistants make in Great Falls in 2026?
What drives higher medical assistant pay in Great Falls?
What certifications boost medical assistant salary in Great Falls?
Can experienced medical assistants make six figures in Great Falls?
How much does medical assistant salary increase over time in Great Falls?
Related Pages
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $56,350 for medical assistants in the Great Falls metro area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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