Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Evansville, IN: $37,947 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Evansville, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,947 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Evansville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,459 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($46,166) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the medical assistant field in Evansville, Indiana, can expect to earn a starting salary around $37,947. This figure, while lower than the city’s median annual wage of $46,166, reflects a realistic expectation for entry-level positions in a competitive healthcare market. Those beginning their careers can anticipate gradual salary growth over the first few years, moving towards the $40,235 mark often seen for early mid-career roles. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.97%, new medical assistants in Evansville may well find themselves in a favorable job market that continues to expand, driven by increasing demand for healthcare services.
Career Earnings Timeline in Evansville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evansville
Entry-level medical assistants in Evansville, IN typically start between $37,947 and $40,235 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,984 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $46,166 — 3.74% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Indiana of $7,000 represents just 18.45% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,947/year) in Evansville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Evansville
- 1Research the Evansville market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,947 to $40,235, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Evansville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Evansville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Evansville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Evansville is $12,984 ( 34.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,947, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,931.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,100
2025 BLS Actual
$36,150
2026 Current Est.
$37,947
2019–2027 Growth
+52.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,947 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,833 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Evansville, IN grew 38.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,100 in 2019 to $36,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,833. New graduates entering the Evansville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Evansville
Evansville offers various employment opportunities for newly certified medical assistants, primarily within primary care and urgent care facilities where new graduates are often welcomed due to structured onboarding processes. While specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics may require prior experience, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are known to attract new talent by offering loan repayment options under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and roles for bilingual candidates. For those looking to enhance their earning potential in Indiana, obtaining credentials such as a diploma or associate degree from an accredited medical assistant program, along with national certifications from bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, can significantly impact starting medical assistant pay in IN. As the workforce for medical assistants grows rapidly, career advancement strategies for the first few years should focus on gaining diverse experience in various healthcare settings, particularly in primary or urgent care, where opportunities for raises and promotions are most prevalent. Those choosing to pursue pathways toward licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) roles will find that initial experience as a medical assistant can be highly beneficial for further career development.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Evansville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov