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CMA Salary by State (2026)

Average Certified Medical Assistant wages across all 50 states and D.C., based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). CMA pay varies significantly by state — from under $32,000/year in Mississippi and Louisiana to over $53,000 in Washington state.

$19.33
National avg. hourly
$40,207
National avg. annual
794K+
MAs employed (US)
StateHourlyAnnualEmployed
Washington DC$26.80↑$55,7402,980Washington$25.82↑$53,70025,960Massachusetts$23.03↑$47,90027,960Oregon$22.63↑$47,07015,020Maryland$22.44↑$46,68020,810Minnesota$22.44↑$46,68022,120New York$22.44↑$46,68059,870Hawaii$22.41↑$46,6203,820New Hampshire$22.22↑$46,2204,670Alaska$22.15↑$46,0801,710California$21.84↑$45,430104,820Connecticut$21.30↑$44,31010,020Colorado$21.04↑$43,76017,140New Jersey$21.01↑$43,70027,980Vermont$20.69↑$43,0402,210Rhode Island$20.15↑$41,9203,790Virginia$19.86↑$41,31024,020Illinois$19.84↑$41,26044,870Delaware$19.82↑$41,2203,180Wisconsin$19.57↑$40,70019,980Arizona$19.50↑$40,56019,870Maine$19.46↑$40,4704,480North Dakota$19.02↓$39,5603,190Nevada$18.76↓$39,0209,530Montana$18.75↓$39,0103,510Iowa$18.74↓$38,97011,820Michigan$18.70↓$38,90033,040Ohio$18.55↓$38,59043,200Utah$18.53↓$38,5509,490Indiana$18.52↓$38,52021,960Pennsylvania$18.38↓$38,23051,870Idaho$18.24↓$37,9405,490Nebraska$18.12↓$37,6908,490Wyoming$18.03↓$37,5101,790Florida$17.98↓$37,40065,320North Carolina$17.72↓$36,86030,100Missouri$17.58↓$36,57021,840Kansas$17.52↓$36,4409,010South Carolina$17.51↓$36,42015,040Georgia$17.41↓$36,22029,740Alabama$17.28↓$35,94012,100New Mexico$17.23↓$35,8405,520Texas$17.15↓$35,68078,320South Dakota$17.11↓$35,5904,190Tennessee$16.89↓$35,14022,010Kentucky$16.84↓$35,02013,040Oklahoma$16.54↓$34,40012,010Arkansas$16.45↓$34,2208,460West Virginia$15.63↓$32,5105,790Louisiana$15.32↓$31,87010,960Mississippi$14.87↓$30,9207,490

CMA Salary FAQ

What is the average CMA salary in the United States?

The national average CMA wage is $19.33 per hour, or about $40,207 per year. Wages vary by state, practice setting (specialty vs. primary care), and years of experience.

Which state pays CMAs the most?

Washington DC has the highest average medical assistant pay at $26.80/hour ($55,740/year). Other top-paying states include Washington ($25.82/hr) and Massachusetts ($23.03/hr).

Do CMAs earn more than CNAs?

Yes — Certified Medical Assistants typically earn 15–20% more than Certified Nursing Assistants. CMAs work in outpatient and physician settings, where wages tend to be higher than long-term care, and the role requires both clinical and administrative skills.

How can a CMA increase their pay?

CMAs can increase pay by: (1) specializing in high-demand areas like cardiology, dermatology, or surgery, (2) moving to a larger metro or higher-paying state, (3) adding billing/coding credentials, or (4) advancing to a practice manager or LPN/RN role.

How many medical assistants are employed in the United States?

The BLS estimates approximately 794,000 medical assistants are employed in the United States. Job growth is projected at 14–16% through 2032 — faster than average for all occupations — driven by an expanding outpatient care sector.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. SOC Code 29-2072 (Medical Assistants). Data reflects annual averages and may not reflect recent wage changes.

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