Medical Assistant Pay

Jefferson City vs Springfield: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Jefferson City, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jefferson City, MO
$40,162
$19.31/hr
Springfield, MO
$39,752
$19.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJefferson City, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$40,162$39,752
Hourly Rate$19.31$19.12
Entry Level (P10)$34,063$36,823
25th Percentile$37,275$38,451
75th Percentile$45,295$46,281
Top Earner (P90)$47,688$47,845
Total Employed2801,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jefferson City ($40,162) and Springfield ($39,752) medical assistant salaries.Jefferson CitySpringfieldMedian Salary$40,162$39,752Entry Level (P10)$34,063$36,823Top Earner (P90)$47,688$47,845US Median $47,961

Verdict

Jefferson City and Springfield are closely matched on overall medical assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Jefferson City and Springfield is $410 (1.03%). Jefferson City's median is -16.26% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jefferson City spans $13,625,Springfield spans $11,022. Jefferson City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jefferson City
P10 (Entry)$34,063
P25$37,275
Median$40,162
P75$45,295
P90 (Top)$47,688
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$36,823
P25$38,451
Median$39,752
P75$46,281
P90 (Top)$47,845

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jefferson City ($45,652 effective) pays 1.73% more than Springfield ($44,874 effective).

Jefferson City
Nominal: $40,162
CoL Index: 87.975
Adjusted: $45,652
Springfield
Nominal: $39,752
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $44,874

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jefferson City if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,162/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,652)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($47,845)
  • Larger job market (1,600 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Jefferson City grew 29.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Jefferson City, MO

+29.3%

$29,600 (2019) → $38,260 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+36.8%

$27,680 (2019) → $37,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Jefferson City or Springfield?

Jefferson City has a higher median medical assistant salary at $40,162/year, compared to Springfield at $39,752/year — a difference of $410 (1.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jefferson City and Springfield?

Jefferson City medical assistants earn $19.31/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $19.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jefferson City to Springfield as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jefferson City and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jefferson City = $45,652, Springfield = $44,874), job availability (280 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Jefferson City vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $34,063 in Jefferson City and $36,823 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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