Medical Assistant Pay

St. Louis vs Springfield: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

St. Louis, MO
$46,932
$22.57/hr
Springfield, MO
$39,752
$19.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$46,932$39,752
Hourly Rate$22.57$19.12
Entry Level (P10)$38,492$36,823
25th Percentile$40,466$38,451
75th Percentile$49,966$46,281
Top Earner (P90)$51,036$47,845
Total Employed6,1701,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($46,932) and Springfield ($39,752) medical assistant salaries.St. LouisSpringfieldMedian Salary$46,932$39,752Entry Level (P10)$38,492$36,823Top Earner (P90)$51,036$47,845US Median $47,961

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between St. Louis and Springfield is $7,180 (18.06%). St. Louis's median is -2.15% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $12,544,Springfield spans $11,022. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$38,492
P25$40,466
Median$46,932
P75$49,966
P90 (Top)$51,036
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, St. Louis ($49,356 effective) pays 9.99% more than Springfield ($44,874 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $46,932
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $49,356
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 St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,932/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,036)
  • Larger job market (6,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,356)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in St. Louis grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Springfield over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+30.7%

$34,210 (2019) → $44,710 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+36.8%

$27,680 (2019) → $37,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: St. Louis or Springfield?

St. Louis has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,932/year, compared to Springfield at $39,752/year — a difference of $7,180 (18.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Springfield?

St. Louis medical assistants earn $22.57/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $19.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to Springfield as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $49,356, Springfield = $44,874), job availability (6,170 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in St. Louis vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,492 in St. Louis and $36,823 in Springfield. The St. Louis 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