Medical Assistant in Tacoma, WA

Medical Assistant Career Guide: Tacoma, WA

As a career analyst who’s spent years mapping the healthcare job market in the Pacific Northwest, I can tell you that Tacoma isn’t just Seattle’s gritty little brother anymore. It’s a healthcare hub in its own right, anchored by a major military hospital, a robust community health system, and a growing network of clinics. For Medical Assistants (MAs), this means opportunity—but also a specific set of realities tied to the local economy and cost of living. This guide is your data-driven roadmap to a career here, stripped of fluff and focused on the practicalities.

The Salary Picture: Where Tacoma Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the financial landscape for MAs in Tacoma is a mixed bag. The median salary for a Medical Assistant in Tacoma is $39,762 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $19.12. This sits slightly above the national average of $38,270, but don't pop the champagne just yet. The Washington state minimum wage is $16.28, so this median represents a modest premium for your skills.

Where you fall on the scale depends heavily on experience, setting, and the employer. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Setting in Tacoma
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$35,000 - $39,000	Community clinics, urgent care, smaller private practices.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$40,000 - $48,000	Large health systems (CHI Franciscan, MultiCare), specialty clinics (cardiology, orthopedics).
Senior (8-15 years)	$49,000 - $55,000	Lead MA roles, clinic management support, high-volume specialty practices.
Expert/Leadership (15+ yrs)	$56,000+	MA instructor (at a local college), practice administrator, corporate health system roles.

How does this compare to other WA cities? Tacoma’s cost of living is lower than Seattle’s, but so are the salaries. An MA in Seattle might earn a median of $44,000, but the rent for a 1BR is often over $2,000. In Spokane, the median salary is closer to $38,000, but rent can be under $1,200. Tacoma lands in a middle ground—it’s not the highest paying, but the job market (with 445 jobs in the metro) is solid and more affordable than the core King County metro.

Insider Tip: The biggest salary jumps often come from moving from general practice to a specialty. An MA in a cardiology or orthopedic surgery clinic in Tacoma can earn $2-4/hour more ($4,160 - $8,320/year) than one in family medicine, due to the higher complexity of procedures and billing.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $39,762 sounds manageable, but what’s left after the government and your landlord take their share? Let’s build a realistic monthly budget for a single MA living in Tacoma.

• Gross Monthly Income: $39,762 / 12 = $3,313.50
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$700/month (21% effective rate)
• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$2,613.50/month

Now, for the largest expense: housing. The average 1BR apartment rent in Tacoma is $1,603/month. This is non-negotiable for most. Let’s allocate the rest.

Monthly Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,603	The biggest fixed cost.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$200	Varies by season; Tacoma Public Utilities is common.
Groceries & Household	$450	A tight but manageable budget for one person.
Transportation (Car/Gas/Ins.)	$300	Assumes a used car. Transit is viable in some areas.
Health Insurance (if not covered)	$150	A rough estimate; employer plans vary.
Student Loan/Debt	$150	Common for recent MA program grads.
Misc/Personal/Clothing	$200	For everything else.
Total Monthly Expenses	$3,053
Monthly Surplus/Deficit	(-$440)	This is a deficit.

The Reality Check: On the median salary, living alone in a typical 1BR apartment puts you in the red by about $440 per month. This is why the MA workforce in Tacoma is dominated by roommates, couples, or those living in older, more affordable housing stock. To break even, you’d need to either:

1. Find a roommate (cutting rent to ~$900).
2. Secure a higher-than-median salary (e.g., in a specialty or at a larger hospital).
3. Live in a more affordable neighborhood (see below).

Can they afford to buy a home? On a single MA salary, buying a median-priced Tacoma home (~$450,000) is not feasible. A 20% down payment is $90,000, and monthly mortgage payments would exceed your net income. Homeownership is typically a long-term goal achieved with dual incomes, significant savings from prior experience, or moving into a management/supervisory role later in your career.

Where the Jobs Are: Tacoma's Major Employers

Tacoma’s healthcare ecosystem is diverse. The jobs are there, but you need to know where to look. The 10-year job growth projection of 15% for MAs in the region is strong, driven by an aging population and expanded clinic services.

1. CHI Franciscan Health (St. Joseph Medical Center & Multicare Associates): The largest employer. St. Joseph’s is a massive, Level II trauma center in the heart of Tacoma. They hire MAs for inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and urgent cares. Hiring is steady, but competition is fierce. They often post jobs on their own portal first.
2. MultiCare Health System (Tacoma General & Mary Bridge Children’s): Another giant. MultiCare is aggressively expanding its clinic network in Pierce County. Their “Indigo” urgent cares are a major source of MA jobs. They value internal mobility, so starting as a clinic MA can lead to hospital roles.
3. Madigan Army Medical Center (Joint Base Lewis-McChord): A huge federal employer. Working here offers federal benefits and steady hours. Insider Tip: Jobs are posted on USAJobs.gov, not typical job boards. The process is slow but worth it for the stability. You often need to be a U.S. citizen and pass a background check.
4. Community Health Care (CHC): A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving low-income and uninsured populations. This is a mission-driven environment. Salaries may be slightly lower than private systems, but the benefits are excellent, and the experience is invaluable for your resume. They are always hiring due to high patient volume.
5. Kaiser Permanente (Tacoma Medical Center): While smaller than in Seattle, Kaiser’s Tacoma clinic is a key employer. They are known for strong benefits and a team-based care model. Jobs here are highly sought after.
6. Private Specialty Groups (Ortho Washington, Pacific Medical Centers): Don’t overlook private practices. A large orthopedic or cardiology group in Tacoma can offer higher pay and a more predictable schedule. Check their websites directly, as they may not use large job boards.
7. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: For MAs interested in public health, the health department offers roles in immunization clinics, STD testing, and community outreach. These are government jobs with good benefits.

Hiring Trends: Post-pandemic, there’s a push towards “team-based care,” where MAs have more responsibility (like managing patient messages or assisting with chronic disease management). Certifications like the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) are increasingly preferred, if not required, by large systems.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington state has clear, regulated pathways for MAs. It’s not the wild west; you need proper certification.

1. Education: You must graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited Medical Assistant program. Local options include Tacoma Community College (TCC), Pierce College, and Bates Technical College. These programs typically take 1-2 years and cost $5,000 - $12,000.
2. National Certification: While WA doesn’t require a state-specific license, nearly every employer does. You must pass a national exam from one of two bodies:
   • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
   • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
   • Cost: Exam fees are $120 - $180. You must recertify every 60 months (CMA) or 3 years (RMA), which involves continuing education credits.
3. Background Check: Washington State Department of Health requires a fingerprint-based background check. Cost: ~$50.
4. Timeline: From starting an accredited program to being job-ready, expect 18-24 months. If you’re starting from scratch, budget for the full timeline. If you’re moving from another state, the process is faster—just verify your certification is current and apply for WA jobs.

Best Neighborhoods for Medical Assistants

Your commute and lifestyle will be defined by where you live. Tacoma is a city of distinct neighborhoods.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Best For...
Downtown Tacoma	Urban, walkable, near St. Joseph’s. Can be noisy.	$1,700+	Those who want to minimize commute to major hospitals.
North End (6th Ave Corridor)	Vibrant, younger crowd, great food scene. 10-min drive to downtown.	$1,650	Social MAs who want a balance of city life and accessibility.
South Tacoma / 72nd St	More residential, family-oriented, affordable. 15-20 min to hospitals.	$1,450	Budget-conscious MAs, those with vehicles.
University Place / Fircrest	Quiet, suburban, safe. Close to MultiCare’s outpatient clinics.	$1,750	Those prioritizing quiet living, willing to pay a premium.
Eastside (Salmon Bay, McKinley)	Gritty, industrial, very affordable. Gentrifying in pockets.	$1,300	The truly budget-focused, with a higher tolerance for older housing stock.

Insider Tip: If you work at Madigan (JBLM), look in the Lakewood or Puyallup areas. The commute to the base is easier from the south side, and rents are lower than in Tacoma proper.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A Medical Assistant role in Tacoma is a solid starting point, not a dead end. The 15% growth over 10 years means the field is expanding, but advancement requires strategy.

• Specialty Premiums: As noted, specialties like Dermatology, Orthopedics, and Cardiology pay more. To get these roles, gain 1-2 years of general experience, then actively seek specialty clinics. Networking at local MA conferences (like those hosted by the WA State Society of Medical Assistants) is key.
• Advancement Paths:
  • Lead MA / Clinical Supervisor: Overseeing a clinic’s MA team. Often requires 5+ years and leadership skills.
  • Program Coordinator: For MAs at clinics that run their own programs (e.g., diabetes education).
  • Transition to Nursing (RN): Many MAs in Tacoma use their experience to bridge into RN programs at TCC or UW Tacoma. This is a common and lucrative path, though it requires significant additional education.
  • Medical Office Management: With experience, you can move into administrative roles (billing, coding, practice manager), often with a higher salary ceiling.

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain strong, but automation (e.g., EHR-based patient intake) may change the daily tasks. MAs who excel at hands-on patient care, complex procedures (like injections, EKGs), and team coordination will be the most valuable. The Puget Sound region’s aging population ensures a steady stream of patients for decades to come.

The Verdict: Is Tacoma Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Solid Job Market: With 445 jobs and 15% growth, opportunities are real.	Salary vs. Cost of Living: The $39,762 median is tight against $1,603 rent. Budgeting is critical.
Diverse Employers: From federal (Madigan) to community health (CHC) to large systems (MultiCare).	Competitive Entry-Level Market: New grads compete with experienced MAs moving from other states.
Career Growth: Clear paths to specialties and leadership; easy access to RN bridge programs.	Traffic & Commute: Tacoma is a car-centric city. Commutes to JBLM or from the South End can be long.
Lifestyle & Nature: Access to Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and a vibrant, if gritty, arts scene.	No State Income Tax, but High Sales Tax: Your paycheck goes further, but daily goods cost more (9.8% in Tacoma).

Final Recommendation: Tacoma is an excellent choice for a Medical Assistant who is budget-savvy (open to roommates or affordable neighborhoods), career-driven (willing to specialize or pursue further education), and values a balanced lifestyle with outdoor access. It’s not the place for someone expecting a high starting salary to easily cover a luxurious lifestyle. For the pragmatic, resilient MA, Tacoma offers a stable career foundation in a growing, dynamic healthcare market.