Medical Assistant Pay

Lansing vs Niles: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Lansing, MI and Niles, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$40,518
$19.48/hr
Niles, MI
$43,143
$20.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MINiles, MI
Median Salary$40,518$43,143
Hourly Rate$19.48$20.74
Entry Level (P10)$36,404$36,740
25th Percentile$38,765$37,495
75th Percentile$49,304$47,446
Top Earner (P90)$50,732$50,596
Total Employed1,180290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($40,518) and Niles ($43,143) medical assistant salaries.LansingNilesMedian Salary$40,518$43,143Entry Level (P10)$36,404$36,740Top Earner (P90)$50,732$50,596US Median $47,961

Verdict

Lansing and Niles are closely matched on overall medical assistant compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Lansing and Niles is $2,625 (6.48%). Niles's median is -10.05% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $14,328,Niles spans $13,856. Lansing has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$36,404
P25$38,765
Median$40,518
P75$49,304
P90 (Top)$50,732
Niles
P10 (Entry)$36,740
P25$37,495
Median$43,143
P75$47,446
P90 (Top)$50,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Niles ($46,707 effective) pays 9.50% more than Lansing ($42,655 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $40,518
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $42,655
Niles
Nominal: $43,143
CoL Index: 92.37
Adjusted: $46,707

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($50,732)
  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Niles if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,143/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,707)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Lansing grew 16.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.6% growth in Niles over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+16.3%

$33,200 (2019) → $38,600 (2025)

Niles, MI

+21.6%

$33,810 (2019) → $41,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Lansing or Niles?

Niles has a higher median medical assistant salary at $43,143/year, compared to Lansing at $40,518/year — a difference of $2,625 (6.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Niles?

Lansing medical assistants earn $19.48/hr while Niles hygienists earn $20.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Niles as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Niles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $42,655, Niles = $46,707), job availability (1,180 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Lansing vs Niles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $36,404 in Lansing and $36,740 in Niles. The Niles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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