The statewide average for a medical assistant in Virginia is $44,050 per year, with a median of $44,740. Certification typically positions a candidate in the middle to upper portion of the pay range, so budget toward $46,570 or higher when recruiting a credentialed candidate with clinical experience. Roles in higher-cost markets like Arlington will push that figure closer to $48,340.
Medical assistant salary in Virginia (2026)
In this article
The average medical assistant salary in Virginia is $44,050 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $44,740 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Virginia employs 16,650 medical assistants, and the $690 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level medical assistants in Virginia typically earn around $37,090, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed $52,000. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a medical assistant hire in Virginia, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $44,740 |
Average Annual Salary | $44,050 |
vs. National Average | 4.5% below the national mean of $46,120 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 16,650 employed medical assistants across Virginia.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next registered nurse hire.
Medical assistant salary percentiles in Virginia
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $37,090 |
25th Percentile | $38,840 |
75th Percentile | $46,570 |
90th Percentile | $52,000 |
Employers hiring for a mid-level medical assistant role in Virginia should expect to set offers between $38,840 and $46,570, where the bulk of the workforce sits. Roles requiring specialized clinical skills or supervisory responsibilities will push compensation toward the $52,000 threshold that senior specialists in Virginia typically reach or exceed.
Medical assistant salary by city in Virginia
City | Average Annual Salary |
Arlington | $48,340 |
Charlottesville | $43,120 |
Richmond | $43,060 |
Virginia Beach | $42,400 |
Roanoke | $39,300 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a medical assistant in Virginia, so budget accordingly based on where the role sits. Arlington commands the highest average at $48,340, while Roanoke sits at $39,300, a spread of $9,040 across the state. Employers hiring in the Northern Virginia market should expect to set offers noticeably above the statewide average to remain competitive.
How Virginia compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Virginia | $44,050 | $44,740 |
Maryland | $46,390 | $46,410 |
North Carolina | $44,090 | $45,140 |
Pennsylvania | $43,500 | $43,920 |
Georgia | $42,590 | $41,600 |
Tennessee | $41,480 | $39,570 |
Virginia sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a cost-effective location relative to Maryland but broadly comparable to North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Maryland's average of $46,390 runs $2,340 above Virginia's $44,050, while Tennessee's $41,480 sits $2,570 below it. Employers in Virginia can set competitive offers without matching the higher compensation levels required in the Maryland market.
Frequently asked questions about medical assistant salary in Virginia
How much does a certified medical assistant make in Virginia?
How does Virginia compare to other states for medical assistant salary?
Virginia's average of $44,050 places it below Maryland at $46,390 but above Georgia at $42,590 and Tennessee at $41,480. North Carolina is nearly identical at $44,090, so cross-border recruiting in that direction will not create a meaningful cost difference. Virginia is a mid-range market for medical assistant compensation among its regional peers.
What do the top-earning medical assistants make in Virginia?
The 90th percentile threshold for medical assistants in Virginia is $52,000 per year, which represents what senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. When recruiting for roles that require advanced clinical skills, supervisory duties, or specialized certifications, plan for offers at or above that level. In high-cost metros like Arlington, where the average already reaches $48,340, top earners will push well past the statewide 90th percentile figure.
What is the average medical assistant salary in Virginia?
The average medical assistant salary in Virginia is $44,050 per year, which runs 4.5% below the national mean of $46,120. The median of $44,740 is slightly higher than the mean, indicating the distribution is fairly balanced across the workforce. Use the median as your primary anchor when setting an offer, and adjust upward based on the candidate's experience level and the specific city where the role is located.
Medical Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 31-9092 (Medical Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
Author
The Rippling Team
Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.
Hubs
Explore more
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in West Virginia (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salary data for West Virginia: $37,180 median, city breakdowns, percentile ranges, and comparisons to neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
4 min
Medical assistant salary in South Carolina (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salaries in South Carolina, from $34,730 to $49,110, with breakdowns by city, percentile, and neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
4 min
Medical assistant salary in Maryland (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salary data for Maryland, including a $46,390 average, city breakdowns, and percentile ranges to guide your hiring budget.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Tennessee (2026)
Find out what medical assistants earn in Tennessee — median $39,570, average $41,480 — with salary ranges by city, percentile, and neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Georgia (2026)
Find out what medical assistants earn in Georgia — from a $41,600 median to city-by-city breakdowns — so you can budget and hire with confidence.
Jul 14, 2026
|
4 min
Medical assistant salary in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina medical assistants earn a median $45,140 annually. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how NC compares to neighboring states.
Jul 14, 2026
|
4 min
Medical assistant salary in Delaware (2026)
Find out what medical assistants earn in Delaware — median $44,490, entry-level to $57,280 — plus city breakdowns and regional comparisons to budget smarter.
Jul 14, 2026
|
3 min
Medical assistant salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
Find 2026 medical assistant salary data for Pennsylvania, including a $43,920 median, city breakdowns, and percentile ranges to guide your hiring budget.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.