Medical Assistant Pay

Burlington vs Davenport: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Burlington, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, IA
$46,017
$22.13/hr
Davenport, IA
$46,922
$22.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$46,017$46,922
Hourly Rate$22.13$22.56
Entry Level (P10)$38,328$38,986
25th Percentile$39,537$40,560
75th Percentile$48,385$49,052
Top Earner (P90)$56,416$51,173
Total Employed4840
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($46,017) and Davenport ($46,922) medical assistant salaries.BurlingtonDavenportMedian Salary$46,017$46,922Entry Level (P10)$38,328$38,986Top Earner (P90)$56,416$51,173US Median $47,961

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Davenport is $905 (1.97%). Davenport's median is -2.17% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $18,088,Davenport spans $12,187. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$38,328
P25$39,537
Median$46,017
P75$48,385
P90 (Top)$56,416
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$38,986
P25$40,560
Median$46,922
P75$49,052
P90 (Top)$51,173

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($52,675 effective) pays 3.48% more than Burlington ($50,904 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $46,017
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $50,904
Davenport
Nominal: $46,922
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $52,675

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,416)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,922/year)
  • Larger job market (840 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,675)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Burlington grew 26.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.9% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Burlington, IA

+26.3%

$34,721 (2024) → $43,838 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+36.9%

$32,660 (2019) → $44,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Burlington or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median medical assistant salary at $46,922/year, compared to Burlington at $46,017/year — a difference of $905 (1.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Davenport?

Burlington medical assistants earn $22.13/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $22.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Davenport as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $50,904, Davenport = $52,675), job availability (4 vs 840 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Burlington vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $38,328 in Burlington and $38,986 in Davenport. The Davenport 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