Medical Assistant Salary in Muscatine, IA: $44,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Muscatine, IA earns a median $44,758/year (≈ $21.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $49,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Muscatine, IA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $44,758, which is approximately 6.68% lower than the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role is expected to fall between $39,108 at the 10th percentile and $55,089 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying pay scales across different healthcare settings. Specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, typically offer higher compensation than primary care clinics, which is crucial for job seekers to consider. This salary data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional prices, highlights the importance of specialty certification and relevant experience when seeking positions in Muscatine's healthcare market.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,108 | $18.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,758 | $21.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,294 | $22.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,089 | $26.48 |
Median Salary Position
6.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,981 (2026 est.). At $44,758, the local median is 6.68% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $44,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $47,921 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -6.68% less |
Medical Assistants in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $44,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $47,921.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $44,758 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,476
2025 BLS Actual
$42,639
2026 Current Est.
$44,758
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,476 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,456 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,714 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,639 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $32,476 (2019) to $42,639 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,507 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,108 – $39,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,890 – $44,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,758 – $47,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,294 – $55,089 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Muscatine
With only five medical assistants currently employed in the Muscatine area, the job market offers limited competition, which can be advantageous for those entering the field. The local cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, take-home pay can still provide a reasonable standard of living in this region. The highest-paying employers tend to be specialty practices or urgent care centers, emphasizing the need for medical assistants to enhance their qualifications with certifications or specialized skills. Factors driving salary variations include the type of practice, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications such as phlebotomy. For those hoping to maximize their medical assistant pay in Muscatine, pursuing advanced education and certifications, especially in higher-paying specialties, can lead to worthwhile financial gains over time.
More salary data for Muscatine, IA:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $42,639 for medical assistantsin the Muscatine metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Muscatine is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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