Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Prairie Village, KS: $36,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Prairie Village, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,016 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Prairie Village's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,622 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($40,939) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Prairie Village, Kansas, those entering the medical assistant field in 2026 can anticipate a starting annual salary around $36,016, which is on the lower end of the pay spectrum for the profession. This figure is notably below the city’s median annual salary for medical assistants, which is projected to be $40,939. New graduates should realistically expect salaries to gradually increase as they gain experience, with potential earnings reaching approximately $36,736 within the first few years. With a projected growth rate of 4.97%, Prairie Village remains a promising market for entry-level medical assistants, although new graduates should be prepared for salaries that lag behind the national median of $47,961.
About the Prairie Village Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Prairie Village
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 Prairie Village
Entry-level medical assistants in Prairie Village, KS typically start between $36,016 and $36,736 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $14,890 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $40,939 — 14.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Kansas of $5,000 represents just 13.88% of the starting medical assistant pay ($36,016/year) in Prairie Village. 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 Prairie Village
- 1Research the Prairie Village market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $36,016 to $36,736, 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 Prairie Village, 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 Prairie Village for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Prairie Village'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 Prairie Village is $14,890 ( 41.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,016, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,906.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,574
2025 BLS Actual
$34,311
2026 Current Est.
$36,016
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Prairie Village (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,631 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,884 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,806 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Prairie Village, KS grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,574 in 2019 to $34,311 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,806. New graduates entering the Prairie Village job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prairie Village 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 Prairie Village
Employers in Prairie Village primarily hiring new graduates include primary care offices and urgent care centers, where structured onboarding programs are commonplace. These positions are often more accessible to recent graduates, while specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics typically seek candidates with 1-2 years of experience. For new grads, obtaining relevant certifications such as the CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA) can markedly enhance starting pay and job prospects in KS. Practical steps for those within the first few years of their career should include pursuing opportunities in primary care or urgent care settings, which are experiencing significant job growth. Additionally, being open to roles in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which may offer unique benefits like loan repayment options and bilingual premiums, can provide a strategic advantage. Although initial salaries may be modest, with career advancement, especially in specialty practices, it's possible to see pay increases as high as 20-40% compared to entry-level positions.
More salary data for Prairie Village, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical assistants in Prairie Village in 2026?
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Is medical assisting school worth it in Prairie Village?
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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 Prairie Village. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Prairie Village 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