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Medical Assistant Salary in Portland, OR β€” 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Portland's cost of living (index: 123). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Medical Assistant Salary in Portland β€” Key Numbers

$51,660
Median Salary
$44,231
25th Percentile
$60,971
75th Percentile
$71,143
90th Percentile
National median (Medical Assistant)$42,000
vs. National median+23.0%
Portland median household income$81,200
vs. City household income-36.4%

Cost of Living in Portland

Cost of Living Index
123(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,395/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio32.4%
Annual rent cost$16,740
Median Home Price$490,000
Home Price / Salary9.5Γ—
20% Down Payment$98,000
Years to save (20% rate)9.5 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3Γ— is affordable; above 5Γ— is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Portland

4.2%
Unemployment Rate
2,520,000
Metro Population
26 min
Avg Commute
37
Median Age

Portland has a metro population of 2,520,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Medical Assistant Salary β€” Other Oregon Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Portland, OR?

The estimated median salary for a Medical Assistant in Portland is $51,660 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $42,000 adjusted by Portland's cost of living index (123). The typical salary range runs from $44,231 (25th percentile) to $60,971 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $71,143.

Is Portland affordable for a Medical Assistant?

On a $51,660 annual salary, a Medical Assistant in Portland would spend approximately 32.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,395/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $490,000 is 9.5Γ— the annual salary.

How does a Medical Assistant's salary compare to Portland's overall income?

Portland's median household income is $81,200. A Medical Assistant earning the city-adjusted median of $51,660 earns 36.4% less than the typical Portland household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Portland has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.