Medical Assistant Pay

Downers Grove vs Springfield: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Downers Grove, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Downers Grove, IL
$43,789
$21.06/hr
Springfield, IL
$47,383
$22.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDowners Grove, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$43,789$47,383
Hourly Rate$21.06$22.78
Entry Level (P10)$36,401$40,130
25th Percentile$37,681$40,907
75th Percentile$47,397$49,357
Top Earner (P90)$56,426$50,071
Total Employed11790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Downers Grove ($43,789) and Springfield ($47,383) medical assistant salaries.Downers GroveSpringfieldMedian Salary$43,789$47,383Entry Level (P10)$36,401$40,130Top Earner (P90)$56,426$50,071US Median $47,961

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Downers Grove.

The salary gap between Downers Grove and Springfield is $3,594 (8.21%). Springfield's median is -1.21% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Downers Grove spans $20,025,Springfield spans $9,941. Downers Grove has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Downers Grove
P10 (Entry)$36,401
P25$37,681
Median$43,789
P75$47,397
P90 (Top)$56,426
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$40,130
P25$40,907
Median$47,383
P75$49,357
P90 (Top)$50,071

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($51,090 effective) pays 13.29% more than Downers Grove ($45,097 effective).

Downers Grove
Nominal: $43,789
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $45,097
Springfield
Nominal: $47,383
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $51,090

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Downers Grove if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,426)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,383/year)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,090)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Downers Grove grew 7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Downers Grove, IL

+7.2%

$38,908 (2024) → $41,716 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+33.2%

$33,880 (2019) → $45,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Downers Grove or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median medical assistant salary at $47,383/year, compared to Downers Grove at $43,789/year — a difference of $3,594 (8.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Downers Grove and Springfield?

Downers Grove medical assistants earn $21.06/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Downers Grove to Springfield as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Downers Grove and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Downers Grove = $45,097, Springfield = $51,090), job availability (11 vs 790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Downers Grove vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $36,401 in Downers Grove and $40,130 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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