How to Become A Medical Assistant in Washington
Washington employs approximately 19,500 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,290 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical assistant in Washington, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in Washington
How do I become a medical assistant in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Health Care Assistant (Now Medical Assistant). The licensing authority is the Department of Health 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for medical assistants. The Department of Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do medical assistants earn in Washington? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Washington is $59,290 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,540 and experienced professionals can earn $74,200 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health
- Median wage (Washington): $59,290 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Medical Assistant License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Health oversees medical assistant licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Health Care Assistant (Now Medical Assistant) | Individuals must successfully complete high school or equivalent, read, write and converse in English, successfully complete college or post-secondary program accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of H… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical assistants wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 13,890 | $46,640 | $48,340 | $37,440 | $59,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 10,210 | $61,500 | $62,210 | $48,120 | $76,360 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 6,390 | $56,240 | $55,090 | $46,160 | $63,300 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 2,090 | $51,720 | $53,200 | $43,900 | $62,380 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 850 | $50,820 | $52,900 | $40,280 | $63,500 |
| Yakima | 710 | $49,310 | $50,790 | $40,770 | $61,090 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 610 | $55,680 | $56,050 | $46,980 | $65,670 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 580 | $55,700 | $55,130 | $46,420 | $66,300 |
| Bellingham | 510 | $57,410 | $55,940 | $47,610 | $63,490 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 370 | $49,230 | $52,110 | $40,640 | $62,210 |
| Longview-Kelso | 250 | $61,480 | $57,500 | $47,060 | $62,700 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 210 | $61,870 | $57,140 | $44,520 | $64,720 |
| Lewiston | 190 | $44,570 | $43,960 | $31,540 | $58,270 |
| Walla Walla | 140 | $56,020 | $52,360 | $38,390 | $59,690 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Medical assistants in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical assistant employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 10,210 | $61,500 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 2,090 | $51,720 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 850 | $50,820 |
| Yakima | 710 | $49,310 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 610 | $55,680 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical assistants in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 19,500 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a medical assistant in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do medical assistants earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Washington is $59,290, which is $15,090 above the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |