Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Derby, KS: $34,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,535 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,992 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,990) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A new graduate entering the medical assisting field in Derby, KS, can expect a starting medical assistant salary around $34,535 annually in 2026. This figure is not far from the city median salary of $42,990, representing a gap that new entrants will aim to bridge within the first few years of their careers. As they gain experience, entry-level professionals may see their salaries increase to approximately $36,105 within the first couple of years, making Derby a competitive market for recent graduates. Additionally, the prospect of steady growth in the field, with a projected annual increase of 4.97%, suggests that entry-level medical assistants who hone their skills and take advantage of available opportunities may see substantial wage growth over the next few years.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derby
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby
Entry-level medical assistants in Derby, KS typically start between $34,535 and $36,105 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $19,447 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,990 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Kansas of $5,000 represents just 14.48% of the starting medical assistant pay ($34,535/year) in Derby. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Derby
- 1Research the Derby market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $34,535 to $36,105, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derby's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Derby is $19,447 ( 56.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,535, experienced hygienists can earn up to $53,982.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,564
2025 BLS Actual
$32,900
2026 Current Est.
$34,535
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,564 | Actual |
| 2020 | $24,577 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,573 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,478 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,252 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,564 in 2019 to $32,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,252. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Derby
In Derby, employers such as primary care facilities and urgent care centers actively recruit new medical assistant graduates, providing structured onboarding processes that help ease the transition into the workforce. Specialty practices, including dermatology and orthopedics, typically favor applicants with one to two years of experience, but emerging roles in federally qualified health centers offer additional incentives like loan repayment assistance and bilingual positions. For those looking to enhance their entry-level medical assistant pay in Kansas, acquiring national certifications such as the CMA from the AAMA or the RMA from AMT is crucial, alongside basic certifications in BLS and optional skills like phlebotomy. Given the strong growth forecast for the medical assistant profession, aligning with practices that support career advancement will enable new graduates to potentially enhance their starting pay significantly in the early years of their careers.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical assistants in Derby 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derby is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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