Medical Assistant Pay

Lexington vs Nicholasville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Lexington, KY and Nicholasville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lexington, KY
$42,376
$20.37/hr
Nicholasville, KY
$40,644
$19.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington, KYNicholasville, KY
Median Salary$42,376$40,644
Hourly Rate$20.37$19.55
Entry Level (P10)$38,325$32,522
25th Percentile$40,287$34,080
75th Percentile$48,989$42,271
Top Earner (P90)$49,987$49,396
Total Employed2,2106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington ($42,376) and Nicholasville ($40,644) medical assistant salaries.LexingtonNicholasvilleMedian Salary$42,376$40,644Entry Level (P10)$38,325$32,522Top Earner (P90)$49,987$49,396US Median $47,961

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nicholasville.

The salary gap between Lexington and Nicholasville is $1,732 (4.26%). Lexington's median is -11.64% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $11,662,Nicholasville spans $16,874. Nicholasville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Lexington
P10 (Entry)$38,325
P25$40,287
Median$42,376
P75$48,989
P90 (Top)$49,987
Nicholasville
P10 (Entry)$32,522
P25$34,080
Median$40,644
P75$42,271
P90 (Top)$49,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($45,620 effective) pays 0.23% more than Nicholasville ($45,514 effective).

Lexington
Nominal: $42,376
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $45,620
Nicholasville
Nominal: $40,644
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $45,514

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,376/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,987)
  • Larger job market (2,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,620)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Nicholasville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Lexington grew 17.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in Nicholasville over the same period.

Lexington, KY

+17.5%

$34,370 (2019) → $40,370 (2025)

Nicholasville, KY

+19.0%

$32,541 (2024) → $38,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Lexington or Nicholasville?

Lexington has a higher median medical assistant salary at $42,376/year, compared to Nicholasville at $40,644/year — a difference of $1,732 (4.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Nicholasville?

Lexington medical assistants earn $20.37/hr while Nicholasville hygienists earn $19.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington to Nicholasville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington and Nicholasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington = $45,620, Nicholasville = $45,514), job availability (2,210 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Lexington vs Nicholasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,325 in Lexington and $32,522 in Nicholasville. The Lexington 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