Medical Assistant in Marysville, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Marysville Stands

As a local who’s watched Marysville’s job market evolve from a quiet mill town to a healthcare hub, let’s cut right to the numbers. The medical assistant (MA) wage landscape here is solid but not explosive. According to the most reliable local data, the median salary for a Medical Assistant in Marysville is $39,762 per year. That translates to a median hourly wage of $19.12. This sits slightly above the national average of $38,270 per year, which is a good sign for a city of our size. The overall healthcare job market is active, with an estimated 145 Medical Assistant positions currently open in the metro area, and a 10-year job growth projection of 15%, outpacing many other sectors.

Here’s how that breaks down by experience level. It's important to note that these are local estimates based on hiring trends and the state's wage data, as Marysville-specific breakdowns by level aren't always publicly listed.

Experience Level	Typical Local Salary Range	Key Employers at This Level
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$36,000 - $41,000	Providence, PeaceHealth, urgent care clinics, dental offices
Mid-Level (2-5 years)	$41,000 - $45,000	Providence, The Everett Clinic (Marysville location), specialty practices
Senior/Expert (5+ years)	$45,000 - $52,000+	Specialty clinics (cardiology, orthopedics), lead MA roles, clinic managers

Compared to other Washington cities, Marysville offers a distinct balance. While your paycheck won’t match Seattle’s $45,000+ median, your cost of living is dramatically lower. Tacoma MAs earn a similar median (~$40,000), but with higher rent and traffic. Bellingham’s $40,500 median is close, but its tighter housing market is a challenge. The real advantage for Marysville is its proximity to the high-wage Seattle market (a 45-60 minute commute) without the astronomical living costs. Many MAs here work in Marysville but live further north or south, leveraging the I-5 corridor.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. Many local employers, especially Providence and PeaceHealth, offer competitive benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement. This can add $5,000-$8,000 in value annually. Always ask about the total compensation package during interviews.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally honest about the budget. A $39,762 annual salary breaks down to about $3,313 per month gross. After federal taxes, Washington state’s 0% income tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare), a single filer with no dependents can expect to take home approximately $2,750 per month.

Now, let’s factor in the largest expense: housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Marysville is $1,864/month. Using a standard budgeting rule (30% of gross income on housing is the old standard, but 40% of take-home is more realistic in today’s market), here’s what a monthly budget looks like:

Monthly Budget Item	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$2,750	After taxes and FICA
Rent (1BR)	$1,864	Average for Marysville
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$150 - $200	Varies by season and building
Car Payment/Insurance	$300 - $500	Marysville requires reliable transport
Gas/Transport	$100 - $150	Depends on commute distance
Groceries	$250 - $350	Shop at WinCo or Safeway
Health Insurance (if not covered)	$100 - $300	Often heavily subsidized by employers
Discretionary/Savings	-$214 to $36	This is the tight margin

This is a sobering reality. On a single MA salary, managing a one-bedroom apartment alone is challenging. The Cost of Living Index for Marysville is 113.0 (US avg = 100), meaning it's 13% more expensive than the national average, primarily driven by housing. A $1,864 rent consumes over 67% of the take-home pay for an entry-level MA earning the median.

Can they afford to buy a home? In short, not on a single MA salary, especially as a new buyer. The median home price in Marysville is around $525,000. To comfortably afford a mortgage on that (with a 20% down payment), you’d need a household income of $130,000+. This is typically only feasible with a dual-income household or after advancing into a senior MA or management role. Insider Tip: Many MAs start their careers commuting from more affordable areas like Arlington, Granite Falls, or even Lake Stevens, where rents can be $300-$500 lower. This is a common strategy to build savings for a future down payment.

Where the Jobs Are: Marysville's Major Employers

Marysville’s healthcare economy is dominated by a few key players. The jobs are there, but knowing who’s who is crucial.

1. Providence Medical Group - Marysville (13th St & 47th Ave): This is the largest employer. They have a large primary care clinic, a new surgical center, and are expanding specialty services. They hire consistently and offer the best benefits package in the area. Hiring trends show a steady need for MAs for both primary care and their growing orthopedic and cardiology departments.
2. PeaceHealth Medical Group (Across from Providence): A close competitor with a strong presence. Their Marysville clinic is a key hub for their network. They are known for a strong MA training program for new hires. They are actively hiring for family medicine and pediatrics.
3. The Everett Clinic (Part of Optum): Has a prominent location on 13th Street. They focus heavily on integrated care. Hiring is competitive but offers good exposure to diverse patient populations. They tend to prefer MAs with at least 1-2 years of experience.
4. Cascade Eye & Skin Centers: A major specialty provider with a Marysville location. This is a great option for MAs interested in dermatology or ophthalmology. The pace is different from primary care—more focused on procedures and technical skills.
5. Visiting Nurse Association of the North Shore (VNA): For MAs interested in a different path, home health offers more autonomy. VNA serves Marysville and the surrounding area. Experience as an MA is a strong asset for these roles, which often involve case management and patient education.
6. Local Urgent Care Chains (ZoomCare, Concentra): These offer flexible hours and urgent care experience. It's a high-volume, fast-paced environment—excellent for building triage skills. Hiring can be seasonal (higher in winter) and part-time opportunities are common.
7. Dental Practices: Don’t overlook dental! Marysville has dozens of dental offices, from large family practices to specialists. The MA role here is often cross-trained as a dental assistant. Pay can be similar, and the hours are often more predictable.

Hiring Trend Insight: Since the pandemic, there's been a push for MAs to get certified in vaccination administration and point-of-care testing. MAs with these certs are often prioritized. Also, with the opening of the new Providence surgery center, there’s a growing need for MAs skilled in sterile processing and surgical assisting training.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has clear, regulated pathways for Medical Assistants. You cannot work as an MA without proper certification.

State-Specific Requirements:

• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA): You must graduate from a WA Department of Health-approved program. These are typically 9-12 month certificate programs. The cost ranges from $4,000 - $12,000 depending on the school (community colleges like EdCC’s Marysville site are the most affordable).
• Certification: After graduation, you must pass a national exam (like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) CMA or AMT RMA). The exam fee is $120 - $150.
• Registration: You then apply for state registration with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). The application fee is $125. Your license must be renewed every two years, with a fee of $125.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Program Application: 1-2 months (deadlines for community colleges).
• Training Program: 9-12 months.
• Exam Prep & Exam: 1-2 months after graduation.
• State Registration: 4-6 weeks for processing.
• Total Time: 12 to 16 months from application to being job-ready.

Insider Tip: Edmonds Community College has a dedicated Marysville location at the Cascade Career Center. This is the most cost-effective local option. Avoid for-profit schools with high costs unless they offer guaranteed job placement. Always verify the program is on the WA DOH’s approved list before enrolling.

Best Neighborhoods for Medical Assistants

Where you live will define your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are the top areas for MAs working in Marysville’s medical corridor (around 13th St/47th Ave).

Neighborhood	Commute to Medical Corridor	Vibe & Lifestyle	Avg. 1BR Rent Estimate
Marysville - Downtown/Strawberry Point	5-10 mins	Walkable, historic, near the waterfront. Older apartments, a few new builds. Good for those who want to avoid driving.	$1,750 - $1,950
Marysville - Getchell Hill	10-15 mins	Residential, family-oriented, with good schools. More single-family homes and townhomes. Quieter, less nightlife.	$1,650 - $1,850
Arlington - North	15-20 mins	Growing suburb with more affordable housing. Mix of old and new apartments. Longer commute but significantly lower rent.	$1,350 - $1,600
Shoreline/Lynnwood (South)	30-45 mins	Urban-suburban, more amenities, direct I-5 access. Much higher rents, but a reverse commute from Seattle traffic. For MAs working in Marysville but wanting city access.	$1,900 - $2,200
Granite Falls/Farmingdale	20-30 mins	Rural, mountainous, very affordable. Requires driving. Ideal for nature lovers willing to commute. Fewer rental options.	$1,200 - $1,500

Personal Insight: For a new MA on a tight budget, Arlington is the smartest starting point. The commute is manageable, and you can save $300-$500/month on rent compared to Marysville proper. That savings can be redirected to student loans or building an emergency fund.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Marysville isn’t just a place to start; it’s a place to grow. The 15% 10-year job growth is promising, but advancement requires proactive steps.

• Specialty Premiums: Moving from primary care to a specialty clinic can boost your salary by 10-15%. MAs in cardiology, orthopedics, or oncology are in high demand. Providence and PeaceHealth’s specialty departments are the primary avenues here.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Lead MA: Managing a team, scheduling, training new hires. +$3-$5/hour.
  2. Clinical Manager: Overseeing multiple MAs and clinic operations. Requires leadership experience. Salary range: $55,000 - $70,000.
  3. Medical Office Administration: Moving to billing, coding, or practice management. Salaries can exceed $60,000 with experience.
  4. Bridge to Nursing: Many MAs use their experience as a stepping stone. Local programs like the BSN at UW Bothell (via Marysville campus) are popular. The salary jump to an RN ($85,000+ in the area) is significant.
• 10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong due to the aging population and expanded access under the ACA. The rise of telehealth and retail clinics (like ZoomCare) will create new MA roles. The key will be technological proficiency (EHR systems like Epic, Cerner) and bilingual skills (Spanish is highly valuable in our community). An MA who masters these will have job security for decades.

The Verdict: Is Marysville Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Solid Job Market: Established employers and 15% growth.	High Rent: $1,864/month average strains a single MA's budget.
Manageable Commute: Everything is within a 15-minute drive.	Limited Nightlife/Scene: It’s a family-oriented suburb, not a city.
Gateway to Seattle: Access to specialty care and higher wages without living in Seattle.	Car Dependency: Public transit is limited; you need a reliable vehicle.
Community Feel: Strong sense of local pride and support.	Competitive Entry-Level: New grads compete for the first job.
Diverse Employer Base: From large hospitals to small specialty clinics.	Lack of Housing Variety: Mostly apartments and single-family homes; few condos or row houses.

Final Recommendation:
Marysville is an excellent choice for a Medical Assistant who is part of a dual-income household or is willing to commute from a more affordable nearby town. It offers a stable, growing job market with major employers, balanced with a family-friendly, community-focused lifestyle. It’s not the place for a single MA trying to build wealth quickly on a starter salary, but it’s a fantastic long-term career base—especially if you plan to advance into specialty care or leadership. If you value community, a predictable commute, and a clear career ladder over urban excitement, Marysville is a smart, practical move.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to be certified to work as an MA in Marysville?
A: Yes. Washington State requires MAs to be registered (RMA) and have completed an approved training program. Most employers, especially Providence and PeaceHealth, require national certification (CMA or RMA) at the time of hire.

Q: What’s the best way to get my first MA job in Marysville without experience?
A: Apply to the MA training programs at Providence or PeaceHealth. They often hire MAs as “patient service representatives” or “clinical aides” while you’re in school, with a guaranteed MA role upon graduation and certification. This is the most common local path.

Q: Is the cost of living really that high? What about groceries and taxes?
A: Groceries and sales tax are near the national average. The primary cost is housing. The Cost of Living Index of 113.0 is skewed heavily by rent and property values. Washington has no state income tax, which is a major plus for your take-home pay.

Q: Can I work in Seattle and live in Marysville?
A: Absolutely, but know the commute. It’s a reverse commute (south to north), which is better than going into Seattle, but I-5 can still be unpredictable. Many MAs do this—working at Harborview or Swedish in Seattle while living in Marysville for the affordability. It’s about 60-75 minutes each way.

Q: Are there part-time MA positions?
A: Yes, many. Urgent care clinics, dental practices, and some specialty clinics offer part-time roles. These are great for students, parents, or those wanting flexibility. However, benefits are often reduced or unavailable for part-time workers.