Medical Assistant Pay

Lexington vs Richmond: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Lexington, KY
$42,376
$20.37/hr
Richmond, KY
$40,635
$19.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington, KYRichmond, KY
Median Salary$42,376$40,635
Hourly Rate$20.37$19.53
Entry Level (P10)$38,325$32,370
25th Percentile$40,287$34,051
75th Percentile$48,989$43,095
Top Earner (P90)$49,987$49,466
Total Employed2,2105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington ($42,376) and Richmond ($40,635) medical assistant salaries.LexingtonRichmondMedian Salary$42,376$40,635Entry Level (P10)$38,325$32,370Top Earner (P90)$49,987$49,466US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lexington and Richmond is $1,741 (4.28%). 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,Richmond spans $17,096. Richmond 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
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$32,370
P25$34,051
Median$40,635
P75$43,095
P90 (Top)$49,466

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($45,620 effective) pays 0.26% more than Richmond ($45,504 effective).

Lexington
Nominal: $42,376
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $45,620
Richmond
Nominal: $40,635
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $45,504

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 Richmond 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 Richmond over the same period.

Lexington, KY

+17.5%

$34,370 (2019) → $40,370 (2025)

Richmond, KY

+19.0%

$32,533 (2024) → $38,711 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Lexington or Richmond?

Lexington has a higher median medical assistant salary at $42,376/year, compared to Richmond at $40,635/year — a difference of $1,741 (4.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Richmond?

Lexington medical assistants earn $20.37/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $19.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington = $45,620, Richmond = $45,504), job availability (2,210 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,325 in Lexington and $32,370 in Richmond. 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