Medical Assistant I Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Assistant I make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Assistant I in the United States is $45,868 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Medical Assistant I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $54,057
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,369 to $50,154
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,273
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,369 10% $37,273 90% $54,057 75% $50,154 $45,868 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Medical Assistant I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $50,154 $4,180 $965 $24
Average $45,868 $3,822 $882 $22
25th Percentile $41,369 $3,447 $796 $20
Check out Medical Assistant I Job Openings in the United States
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The WeCare Group, Inc. - SCOTIA, CA

Psychiatrist and Medical Director

Confidential - , MO

Sr. Medical Physicist

Siemens Healthineers - YAKIMA, WA

Site Medical Director, Meridian

Neighborcare Health - SEATTLE, WA

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Key Factors That Influence Medical Assistant I Salaries

A Medical Assistant I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Medical Assistant I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Assistant I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $45,210
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,679
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $46,624
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,814
  • Expert (over 8 years): $46,940
Levels Salary
Entry Level Medical Assistant I$45,210
Intermediate Level Medical Assistant I$45,679
Senior Level Medical Assistant I$46,624
Specialist Level Medical Assistant I$46,814
Expert Level Medical Assistant I$46,940
$45,210 0 yr
$45,679 < 2 yrs
$46,624 2-4 yrs
$46,814 5-8 yrs
$46,940 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Medical Assistant I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Medical Assistant Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $50,785.
  • California: $50,592.
  • Massachusetts: $49,918.

Top Paying Cities for Medical Assistant Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $57,853
  • San Francisco: $57,285
  • Oakland: $56,014

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Assistant I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.6% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Patient Flow (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): Patient flow is defined as the movement of patients, information or equipment between departments, staff groups or organisations as part of a patients care pathway.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 2.51% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.6%
Patient Flow 2.7%
Basic Life Support 2.51%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Medical Assistant I's salary.
  • Listening: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Organizational Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Listening
$48,161
5%
Organizational Skills
$47,703
4%
Commitment
$47,244
3%
Data Entry
$46,785
2%
Time Management
$46,785
2%
Accountability
$46,785
2%
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How Education impacts a Medical Assistant I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Medical Assistant Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Medical Assistant I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $40,023 and $42,298).

Medical Assistant I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Medical Assistant I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 62.3%
Associates 31.4%
Bachelors 5.0%
Masters 0.4%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Medical Assistant I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Assistant I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Medical Assistant I

Salaries for a Medical Assistant I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $63,664 in 2023 to around $63,202 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Medical Assistant I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Medical Assistant I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$63,664
2024
$64,069
2025
$63,202
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $63,664
2024 $64,069
2025 $63,202
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Medical Assistant I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Medical Assistant I

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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