Medical Assistants vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical Assistants professionals earn $9,620 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 27.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical Assistants earns $57,830 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$57,830
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical Assistants | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,020 | $25,600 | +$9,420 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,610 | $29,140 | +$8,470 |
| Median (50th) | $44,200 | $34,580 | +$9,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,160 | $37,850 | +$10,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,830 | $47,930 | +$9,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,720 | $37,150 | +$7,570 |
Employment Numbers
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Medical Assistants or Retail Salespersons?
Medical Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,620 (27.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Medical Assistants and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 793,460 Medical Assistants positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Medical Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical Assistants has a median salary of $44,200 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS