As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Qualified Medication Aide in the United States is $38,109 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, a Qualified Medication Aide's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
A Qualified Medication Aide'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Qualified Medication Aide'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Qualified Medication Aide | $37,695 |
| Intermediate Level Qualified Medication Aide | $38,404 |
| Senior Level Qualified Medication Aide | $39,033 |
| Specialist Level Qualified Medication Aide | $39,119 |
| Expert Level Qualified Medication Aide | $39,262 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Qualified Medication Aides. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 6.26% |
| Long Term Care | 4.76% |
| Nursing Care | 2.72% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Medication Management
|
$41,157 |
8%
|
|
Authenticity
|
$40,776 |
7%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$40,014 |
5%
|
|
Delegation
|
$40,014 |
5%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$39,633 |
4%
|
|
Agility
|
$39,633 |
4%
|
For Qualified Medication Aide roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Qualified Medication Aide positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Qualified Medication Aide as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $41,920 | $20.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Qualified Medication Aides 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 Qualified Medication Aide with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,105 and $36,871).
Qualified Medication Aide Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.4% |
| High School | 55.3% |
| Associates | 23.4% |
| Bachelors | 14.9% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Qualified Medication Aide'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, 2026Salaries for a Qualified Medication Aide can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $48,742 in 2023 to around $49,350 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Qualified Medication Aide salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $48,742 |
| 2024 | $49,516 |
| 2025 | $49,350 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Qualified Medication Aide and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Qualified Medication Aide job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Qualified Medication Aide roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
