Medical Assistant Pay

Indianapolis vs Lawrence: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Lawrence, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$49,231
$23.67/hr
Lawrence, IN
$44,724
$21.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INLawrence, IN
Median Salary$49,231$44,724
Hourly Rate$23.67$21.50
Entry Level (P10)$40,340$37,379
25th Percentile$42,198$38,633
75th Percentile$50,050$48,552
Top Earner (P90)$59,235$57,865
Total Employed6,58010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($49,231) and Lawrence ($44,724) medical assistant salaries.IndianapolisLawrenceMedian Salary$49,231$44,724Entry Level (P10)$40,340$37,379Top Earner (P90)$59,235$57,865US Median $47,961

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lawrence.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Lawrence is $4,507 (10.08%). Indianapolis's median is +2.65% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $18,895,Lawrence spans $20,486. Lawrence has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$40,340
P25$42,198
Median$49,231
P75$50,050
P90 (Top)$59,235
Lawrence
P10 (Entry)$37,379
P25$38,633
Median$44,724
P75$48,552
P90 (Top)$57,865

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($51,445 effective) pays 5.02% more than Lawrence ($48,986 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $49,231
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $51,445
Lawrence
Nominal: $44,724
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $48,986

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,231/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,235)
  • Larger job market (6,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,445)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Lawrence if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Indianapolis grew 31.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Lawrence over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+31.3%

$35,720 (2019) → $46,900 (2025)

Lawrence, IN

+28.4%

$33,191 (2024) → $42,606 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Indianapolis or Lawrence?

Indianapolis has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,231/year, compared to Lawrence at $44,724/year — a difference of $4,507 (10.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Lawrence?

Indianapolis medical assistants earn $23.67/hr while Lawrence hygienists earn $21.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Lawrence as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Lawrence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $51,445, Lawrence = $48,986), job availability (6,580 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Indianapolis vs Lawrence?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $40,340 in Indianapolis and $37,379 in Lawrence. The Indianapolis 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