Medical Assistant Salary in Lincoln, NE: $49,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Lincoln, NE earns a median $49,535/year (≈ $23.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $54,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.9% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Lincoln, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $49,535, surpassing the national average of $47,961. The salary landscape here ranges from approximately $37,485 at the lower end (P10) to about $63,234 at the higher end (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a growing demand for skilled medical professionals in the region. In particular, specialty practices such as dermatology, plastics, and orthopedics tend to offer significantly higher pay compared to primary care settings, highlighting the importance of specialization in navigating salary expectations within the medical assistant profession in Lincoln.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,485 | $18.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,718 | $19.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,535 | $23.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,280 | $26.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,234 | $30.40 |
Median Salary Position
3.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,749 (2026 est.). At $49,535, the local median is 3.28% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $49,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $43,875 | +12.90% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +3.28% more |
Medical Assistants in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $49,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.28% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 12.90% above the Nebraska state average of $43,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $49,535 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,089 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,450
2025 BLS Actual
$47,190
2026 Current Est.
$49,535
2019–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.5% from $36,450 (2019) to $47,190 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,547 (42.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $37,485 – $40,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,718 – $49,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,535 – $54,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,280 – $63,234 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Lincoln
The job market for medical assistants in Lincoln is robust, with around 570 professionals employed in this sector. The cost of living index in the area stands at 91.581, suggesting that salaries stretch further in Lincoln than in many other metropolitan areas in the U.S. This favorable cost advantage enhances real purchasing power for workers. Among employers, specialty practices, particularly those in cardiology and dermatology, typically pay the most. Pay variations arise from several factors, including expertise in bilingual communication, advanced certifications in EKG or phlebotomy, and experience levels, especially for those transitioning to roles with added responsibilities. To maximize earning potential in Lincoln, medical assistants should consider pursuing specialized certifications and seeking employment in higher-paying specialty environments or urgent care settings, where demand continues to grow.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Lincoln, NE 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
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 $47,190 for medical assistantsin the Lincoln 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
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