Medical Assistant Salary in Missouri: $45,433 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $45,433/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,706 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($45,300), St. Louis ($44,710), Columbia ($41,350).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in Missouri is projected to be $45,433, which is about 5.3% lower than the national median of $47,961. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Kansas City offering the highest salaries at $47,551 and Hannibal the lowest at $38,037, highlighting a gap of $9,514. This disparity is driven by factors such as the cost of living, demand for medical services in urban vs. rural areas, and local healthcare funding. Missouri has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence salaries and employment opportunities. Medical assistants in the state play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, supporting physicians with administrative and clinical tasks. The projected growth rate for this profession in Missouri is 4.97% annually, indicating a steady increase in demand for medical assistants. Major cities like St. Louis ($46,932), Columbia ($43,405), and St. Joseph ($42,282) further illustrate the varied earning potential within the state. As the healthcare sector expands and the population ages, the job market for medical assistants in Missouri is likely to remain strong, providing ample opportunities for those entering the field.
Missouri Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $31,128 (lowest entry-level) to $57,744 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri medical assistants earn 5.27% less than the national median ($-2,528/year difference).
Missouri Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Missouri range from $38,041 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $50,739 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,433. The Missouri median is $2,528 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $21.85/hr. Approximately 13,932 medical assistants are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,494
2025 BLS Actual
$43,282
2026 Current Est.
$45,433
2019–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,113 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,433 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,691 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.2% from $33,494 (2019) to $43,282 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,197 (42.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $47,551 | 92.543 | $51,383 |
| St. Louis | $46,932 | 95.088 | $49,356 |
| St. Joseph | $42,282 | 86.382 | $48,948 |
| Columbia | $43,405 | 89.438 | $48,531 |
| Independence | $42,069 | 89.6 | $46,952 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,041 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $45,433 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $50,739 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $47,551 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $46,932 |
| 3 | Columbia | $43,405 |
| 4 | St. Joseph | $42,282 |
| 5 | Independence | $42,069 |
| 6 | St. Peters | $41,761 |
| 7 | St. Charles | $41,683 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $41,200 |
| 9 | Florissant | $40,984 |
| 10 | Wildwood | $40,894 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $40,883 |
| 12 | Lee's Summit | $40,860 |
| 13 | Chesterfield | $40,853 |
| 14 | University City | $40,639 |
| 15 | Liberty | $40,623 |
| 16 | Grandview | $40,553 |
| 17 | Maryland Heights | $40,486 |
| 18 | Jefferson City | $40,162 |
| 19 | Blue Springs | $40,027 |
| 20 | Raytown | $39,788 |
| 21 | Springfield | $39,752 |
| 22 | Webster Groves | $39,590 |
| 23 | Sedalia | $39,578 |
| 24 | Ballwin | $39,507 |
| 25 | Nixa | $39,503 |
| 26 | Gladstone | $39,398 |
| 27 | Cape Girardeau | $39,332 |
| 28 | Wentzville | $39,305 |
| 29 | Joplin | $39,070 |
| 30 | Belton | $38,973 |
| 31 | Branson | $38,307 |
| 32 | Raymore | $38,161 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $38,037 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Missouri?
How does Missouri medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Missouri?
How many medical assistants are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for medical assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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