Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $22.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Kansas City, MO runs $22.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,551 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,532 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, the medical assistant hourly pay is projected to be $22.86 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $23.06. This competitive rate allows for viable earnings for both part-time and per-diem medical assistants, who typically work in environments such as primary care exam rooms, specialty procedure rooms, and urgent care intake stations. For those working just three days a week, or approximately 24 hours, there is the potential to earn a stable income while enjoying a more flexible schedule. The hourly earnings for entry-level positions start around $18.85, while experienced medical assistants can reach up to $25.11, depending on their work environment and expertise within the medical field.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.85 | $150.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.73 | $157.87 |
| Median (P50) | $22.86 | $182.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.93 | $191.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.11 | $200.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $22.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.86/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $47,554 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,435. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $914.50 | $3,963 | $47,554 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.70 | $2,378 | $28,532 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.80 | $1,585 | $19,022 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Kansas City) | $22.86 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $47,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 15.40% above the Missouri state average of $41,206.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.86/hr = $28,532/year (purchasing power: $30,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,554/year (purchasing power: $51,386).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Kansas City grew 30.4% from $16.70/hr (2019) to $21.78/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.00/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Kansas City
Considering part-time work, a medical assistant in Kansas City clocking in for three days a week can bring home about $29,724 annually, which is significant compared to full-time counterparts earning closer to $47,551. For those opting for per-diem opportunities, billing rates generally range from $20 to $30 per hour, with specialists in dermatology and plastics often seeing rates rise to between $25 and $38 per hour. Shifts in urgent care can further elevate income, with stipends adding an extra $50 to $150 for longer shifts. It’s common for medical assistants in varying settings—like primary care offices and corporate health clinics—to experience different hourly rates depending on benefits offered. While some might accept a lower hourly wage for health insurance, others may prefer the higher pay without benefits. Negotiation can also play a key role: being informed about average salaries and the specialty practice premium in the Kansas City area can empower medical assistants to secure better pay.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Kansas City in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Kansas City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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