Medical Assistant Pay

Hastings vs Omaha: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Hastings, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hastings, NE
$42,814
$20.58/hr
Omaha, NE
$50,396
$24.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHastings, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$42,814$50,396
Hourly Rate$20.58$24.23
Entry Level (P10)$33,630$41,064
25th Percentile$35,394$48,213
75th Percentile$44,937$52,558
Top Earner (P90)$52,863$62,048
Total Employed51,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hastings ($42,814) and Omaha ($50,396) medical assistant salaries.HastingsOmahaMedian Salary$42,814$50,396Entry Level (P10)$33,630$41,064Top Earner (P90)$52,863$62,048US Median $47,961

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hastings.

The salary gap between Hastings and Omaha is $7,582 (17.71%). Omaha's median is +5.08% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hastings spans $19,233,Omaha spans $20,984. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Hastings
P10 (Entry)$33,630
P25$35,394
Median$42,814
P75$44,937
P90 (Top)$52,863
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$41,064
P25$48,213
Median$50,396
P75$52,558
P90 (Top)$62,048

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($54,831 effective) pays 17.18% more than Hastings ($46,791 effective).

Hastings
Nominal: $42,814
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $46,791
Omaha
Nominal: $50,396
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $54,831

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hastings if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,396/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,048)
  • Larger job market (1,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,831)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Hastings grew 14.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.8% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Hastings, NE

+14.2%

$35,708 (2024) → $40,787 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+32.8%

$36,160 (2019) → $48,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Hastings or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median medical assistant salary at $50,396/year, compared to Hastings at $42,814/year — a difference of $7,582 (17.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hastings and Omaha?

Hastings medical assistants earn $20.58/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $24.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hastings to Omaha as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hastings and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hastings = $46,791, Omaha = $54,831), job availability (5 vs 1,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Hastings vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $33,630 in Hastings and $41,064 in Omaha. The Omaha 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