Medical assistant jobs in Washington

Washington pays medical assistants more than any other state or DC: a median of $59,290 a year, compared with $45,690 nationally, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The typical pay range in Washington runs from $49,310 to $63,590 a year. At the bottom, the lowest-paid tenth makes $46,540 or less. At the top, the best-paid tenth earns $74,200 or higher each year.

Roughly 19,500 people work in this occupation across Washington. That works out to 5.5 for every 1,000 jobs statewide, and Washington places 14th of 51 in job counts, based on federal figures.

Hiring happens fairly often. Each year, around 3,010 openings appear, counting both newly created jobs and positions left by people who move on, according to Washington's labor agency.

State projections put the number of medical assistant jobs at 17,630 in 2024 and 21,150 by 2034. That is growth of 20.0%, and the national rate for the same period is 12.5%, according to Projections Central. Washington's growth rate ranks 13th of 51.

Seattle has the most medical assistant jobs, 10,210, and the highest median pay of the metros listed, $61,500. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides these numbers.

The Portland numbers include the whole metro area, and part of it lies in Oregon.

Yes. Washington requires a Department of Health credential before you start working, and there are two kinds, according to the state.

• Certified medical assistant: complete an approved program and pass a recognized national exam within the past 5 years.
• Registered medical assistant: no formal training required, but the credential only covers work for a single employer.

The registered credential limits you to one employer.

Washington recognizes three training routes for the Medical Assistant-Certified credential:

• a program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, the two national organizations that review and approve such courses
• a state apprenticeship pathway
• training totaling 720 clock hours, including a 160-hour externship

During an externship, you gain supervised, hands-on experience in a real clinic or medical office.

Our list covers 29 Washington schools that share their graduate counts with the federal college survey. Of these, 21 run a program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, which the state accepts as one valid route.

Some programs allow you to take classes online. You still complete the supervised clinical hours on site.

Nationally, career school programs have a median length of 9 months, with most lasting 7 to 9 months. Among career schools that bundle pricing for the entire program, the median cost is $17,257, which covers tuition, fees and books. Public colleges charge a median of $4,346 for in-district tuition and fees for one year of full-time study, according to federal college data.

With top pay in the nation and about 3,010 openings a year, now is a good time to start: on our Washington program list, choose one accredited program and use the Request information form, and your request goes to that school.