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Medical Assistant in Washington: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Washington employs 19,500 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $59,290 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Washington licensing picture, and where to train.

What Medical assistants Earn in Washington (May 2025)

Washington median pay: $59,290 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,540
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,590
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,200
Employed in Washington: 19,500
U.S. median (for comparison): $42,000 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Washington markets:

Seattle–Tacoma: $61,500 (10,210 employed)
Bellingham: $57,410 (510 employed)
Olympia: $55,700 (580 employed)
Spokane: $51,720 (2,090 employed)
Tri-Cities: $50,820 (850 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Washington

Prices in Washington run about 7% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $59,290 median is worth closer to $55,411 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Washington (2024–2034)

Washington is projected to grow medical assistants employment +20.0%, faster than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 3,010 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Washington License and Certification Requirements

None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification is the professional standard — regulated by the No Washington state license required for medical assistants.

Washington does not require a state license for medical assistants. The standard entry path is completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program (typically a 1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree) at a community college or technical school.
Earn the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) credential through AAMA or the RMA through AMT — required by most Washington healthcare employers and hospital systems.
Apply to physician offices, urgent care clinics, federally qualified health centers, and multi-specialty groups. UW Medicine, Providence, MultiCare, and Swedish clinic networks are large employers of MAs in Washington.

Official requirements: No Washington state license required for medical assistants →

Training in Washington

South Seattle College, Renton Technical College, Bellevue College, and Spokane Community College offer CAAHEP/ABHES-accredited programs. Washington's large hospital and clinic networks, particularly in the Puget Sound, create strong and consistent demand for certified MAs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Washington include:

Bates Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Bellevue College — Certificate
Bellingham Technical College — Certificate
Big Bend Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Medical assistants Work in Washington

Real Washington hospitals that employ medical assistants include:

VA Hosp — American Lake
Swedish Medical Center — Seattle
Prov Sacred Hrt Med Ctr & Childs Hosp. — Spokane
Madigan Gen Hosp — Tacoma
VA Puget Sound Health Care System — Seattle
Tacoma General Allenmore Hospital — Tacoma

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want the fastest entry into clinical healthcare and are comfortable with both patient care and administrative tasks.

Think twice if: A pay ceiling in the low-to-mid $40s and a broad scope of low-autonomy tasks sounds frustrating rather than engaging.

Why it's resilient: Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.

First Steps

Look for accredited medical assistant programs at community colleges — many run 9–12 months and include an externship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical assistants make in Washington?

The median wage for medical assistants in Washington is $59,290 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,200. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Medical Assistant in Washington?

None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification is the professional standard, overseen by the No Washington state license required for medical assistants. Washington does not require a state license for medical assistants. The standard entry path is completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program (typically a 1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree) at a community college or technical school.

Is being a Medical Assistant a good career in Washington?

Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.

Which Washington metros pay medical assistants the most?

Among Washington metro areas, Seattle–Tacoma leads at $61,500, followed by Bellingham ($57,410), Olympia ($55,700). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Medical Assistant in Washington?

Real Washington options include Bates Technical College, Bellevue College, Bellingham Technical College. Most medical assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Medical Assistant a growing career in Washington?

Washington projects medical assistants employment to change +20.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,010 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Washington statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Washington state license required for medical assistants (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Washington wages · Washington licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.