Medical Assistant Pay

Baton Rouge vs Monroe: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Monroe, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$38,734
$18.62/hr
Monroe, LA
$36,141
$17.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAMonroe, LA
Median Salary$38,734$36,141
Hourly Rate$18.62$17.37
Entry Level (P10)$30,693$27,849
25th Percentile$35,952$31,764
75th Percentile$40,424$38,430
Top Earner (P90)$48,895$43,668
Total Employed2,180550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($38,734) and Monroe ($36,141) medical assistant salaries.Baton RougeMonroeMedian Salary$38,734$36,141Entry Level (P10)$30,693$27,849Top Earner (P90)$48,895$43,668US Median $47,961

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Monroe.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Monroe is $2,593 (7.17%). Baton Rouge's median is -19.24% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $18,202,Monroe spans $15,819. Baton Rouge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$30,693
P25$35,952
Median$38,734
P75$40,424
P90 (Top)$48,895
Monroe
P10 (Entry)$27,849
P25$31,764
Median$36,141
P75$38,430
P90 (Top)$43,668

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Monroe ($43,232 effective) pays 1.32% more than Baton Rouge ($42,668 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $38,734
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $42,668
Monroe
Nominal: $36,141
CoL Index: 83.597
Adjusted: $43,232

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,734/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($48,895)
  • Larger job market (2,180 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Monroe if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,232)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Baton Rouge grew 18.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.6% growth in Monroe over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+18.5%

$31,150 (2019) → $36,900 (2025)

Monroe, LA

+14.6%

$30,040 (2019) → $34,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Baton Rouge or Monroe?

Baton Rouge has a higher median medical assistant salary at $38,734/year, compared to Monroe at $36,141/year — a difference of $2,593 (7.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Monroe?

Baton Rouge medical assistants earn $18.62/hr while Monroe hygienists earn $17.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Monroe as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Monroe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $42,668, Monroe = $43,232), job availability (2,180 vs 550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Baton Rouge vs Monroe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $30,693 in Baton Rouge and $27,849 in Monroe. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov