Medical Assistant/Front Desk Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Assistant/Front Desk make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Assistant/Front Desk in the United States is $46,796 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,140
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,205 to $51,163
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,025
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View as table View as graph 25% $42,205 10% $38,025 90% $55,140 75% $51,163 $46,796 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Medical Assistant/Front Desk Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $51,163 $4,264 $984 $25
Average $46,796 $3,900 $900 $22
25th Percentile $42,205 $3,517 $812 $20
Check out Medical Assistant/Front Desk Job Openings in the United States
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Instacart - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Medical Assistant/Front Desk Salaries

A Medical Assistant/Front Desk'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/Front Desk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Assistant/Front Desk'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): $46,124
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $46,603
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $47,566
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $47,759
  • Expert (over 8 years): $47,887
Levels Salary
Entry Level Medical Assistant/Front Desk$46,124
Intermediate Level Medical Assistant/Front Desk$46,603
Senior Level Medical Assistant/Front Desk$47,566
Specialist Level Medical Assistant/Front Desk$47,759
Expert Level Medical Assistant/Front Desk$47,887
$46,124 0 yr
$46,603 < 2 yrs
$47,566 2-4 yrs
$47,759 5-8 yrs
$47,887 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Medical Assistant/Front Desk 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/Front Desks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $51,812.
  • California: $51,615.
  • Massachusetts: $50,928.

Top Paying Cities for Medical Assistant/Front Desks

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: $59,023
  • San Francisco: $58,377
  • Oakland: $57,147

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Assistant/Front Desk'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/Front Desk'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
$49,135
5%
Organizational Skills
$48,667
4%
Commitment
$48,199
3%
Data Entry
$47,731
2%
Time Management
$47,731
2%
Accountability
$47,731
2%
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Medical Assistant/Front Desk Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Assistant/Front Desk roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Medical Assistant/Front Desk positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Medical Assistant/Front Desk as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Medical Assistant/Front Desk

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$56,155$27.020%

How Education impacts a Medical Assistant/Front Desk's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Medical Assistant/Front Desks 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/Front Desk with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $40,023 and $42,298).

Medical Assistant/Front Desk Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Medical Assistant/Front Desk
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/Front Desk Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Assistant/Front Desk'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Medical Assistant/Front Desk

Salaries for a Medical Assistant/Front Desk can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,920 in 2023 to around $64,450 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Medical Assistant/Front Desk salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Medical Assistant/Front Desk Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,920
2024
$65,334
2025
$64,450
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,920
2024 $65,334
2025 $64,450
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Medical Assistant/Front Desk

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

Here are companies hiring for Medical Assistant/Front Desk and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Medical Assistant/Front Desk Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Medical Assistant/Front Desk job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    2 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Brand & External Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare indust... more

    13 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    14 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    14 Days Ago

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FAQ about Medical Assistant/Front Desk

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Assistant/Front Desk?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Assistant/Front Desk roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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