Medical Assistant Pay

Bowling Green vs Louisville: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$41,222
$19.82/hr
Louisville, KY
$44,993
$21.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$41,222$44,993
Hourly Rate$19.82$21.63
Entry Level (P10)$34,231$32,858
25th Percentile$38,010$35,944
75th Percentile$45,893$49,372
Top Earner (P90)$46,743$60,362
Total Employed600132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($41,222) and Louisville ($44,993) medical assistant salaries.Bowling GreenLouisvilleMedian Salary$41,222$44,993Entry Level (P10)$34,231$32,858Top Earner (P90)$46,743$60,362US Median $47,961

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Louisville is $3,771 (9.15%). Louisville's median is -6.19% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $12,512,Louisville spans $27,504. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$34,231
P25$38,010
Median$41,222
P75$45,893
P90 (Top)$46,743
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$32,858
P25$35,944
Median$44,993
P75$49,372
P90 (Top)$60,362

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($50,384 effective) pays 10.22% more than Bowling Green ($45,711 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $41,222
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $45,711
Louisville
Nominal: $44,993
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $50,384

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,993/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,362)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,384)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Bowling Green grew 39.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+39.4%

$28,180 (2019) → $39,270 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+19.0%

$36,023 (2024) → $42,863 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Bowling Green or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median medical assistant salary at $44,993/year, compared to Bowling Green at $41,222/year — a difference of $3,771 (9.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Louisville?

Bowling Green medical assistants earn $19.82/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $21.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Louisville as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $45,711, Louisville = $50,384), job availability (600 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Bowling Green vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $34,231 in Bowling Green and $32,858 in Louisville. The Bowling Green area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov