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Medical Assistant Salary in Oregon: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Medical Assistant salary really buy you in Oregon?

Oregon is 6.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$49,900
Median annual (2024)
-6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$46,810
COL-adjusted (RPP=106.6)

Oregon Cost of Living Index

Oregon's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.6, meaning prices are 6.6% higher the national average. A Medical Assistant earning $49,900 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $46,810 in an average-cost US state.

OR: 106.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Oregon's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $40,830 $38,302 $-2,527
25th Percentile (P25) $46,490 $43,611 $-2,878
Median (P50) $49,900 $46,810 $-3,089
75th Percentile (P75) $57,890 $54,305 $-3,584
90th Percentile (P90) $61,100 $57,317 $-3,782
Key Insight

While $49,900 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $46,810. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Medical Assistant (After Cost of Living)

Where does Medical Assistant salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$51,581
RPP 92.3
$51,314
RPP 89.8
3. Alaska
$50,843
RPP 102.0
$50,542
RPP 97.7
5. Montana
$50,321
RPP 90.3
$50,200
RPP 109.8
7. Iowa
$49,400
RPP 88.4
8. Idaho
$47,276
RPP 91.8
9. Oregon
$46,810
RPP 106.6
$46,268
RPP 88.7

Oregon ranks #9 out of 50 states for Medical Assistant after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Medical Assistant in Oregon after cost of living?

A Medical Assistant in Oregon earns a median salary of $49,900 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $46,810 — a -6.2% difference.

Is Oregon expensive to live in?

Oregon's cost of living is 6.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Oregon is 106.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Medical Assistant in Oregon: $49,900 x (100 / 106.6) = $46,810. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Oregon offset the salary?

Partially — a Medical Assistant's nominal salary of $49,900 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $46,810. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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