Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Wichita, KS: $37,705 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Wichita, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,705 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wichita's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,391 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($40,550) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Wichita, KS presents a realistic starting point for newly graduated medical assistants, with entry-level salaries expected to range from $37,705 to $47,982 in 2026. At the lower end of the spectrum, new grads can anticipate salaries around $37,705, which is slightly below the city median of $40,550. However, there’s a clear growth trajectory from this starting figure through to the 25th percentile at $38,986, moving toward the median reflects a positive outlook for those beginning their careers. Wichita’s job market appears favorable for newcomers, particularly given the ongoing demand for medical assistants, which is projected to grow annually by 4.97%. This growth suggests that early-career professionals have opportunities for advancement and salary increases as they gain experience.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wichita
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 Wichita
Entry-level medical assistants in Wichita, KS typically start between $37,705 and $38,986 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $10,277 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $40,550 — 15.45% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Kansas of $5,000 represents just 13.26% of the starting medical assistant pay ($37,705/year) in Wichita. 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 Wichita
- 1Research the Wichita market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $37,705 to $38,986, 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 Wichita, 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 Wichita for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wichita'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 Wichita is $10,277 ( 27.26%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,705, experienced hygienists can earn up to $47,982.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,220
2025 BLS Actual
$35,920
2026 Current Est.
$37,705
2019–2027 Growth
+63.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,705 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,579 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wichita, KS grew 48.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,220 in 2019 to $35,920 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,579. New graduates entering the Wichita job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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 Wichita
Employers in Wichita typically offering positions to new medical assistant graduates include primary care offices and urgent care chains, where structured onboarding helps smooth the transition into the workforce. Specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, often prefer candidates with a year or two of experience, but federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) might provide unique opportunities, including national health service corps loan repayment options for bilingual professionals. To enhance entry-level pay, aspiring medical assistants should consider obtaining a diploma or associate’s degree from an accredited program, as well as national certifications like CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), CCMA (NHA), or NCMA (NCCT). Those looking to expand their career options may also pursue additional training in phlebotomy or EKG. Given the rapid growth in the MA workforce, prospects are strong for new grads to achieve substantial salary increases within their first three years in Wichita, with many capable of transitioning to higher-paying roles in specialty fields that pay 20-40% more than entry-level positions.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical assistants in Wichita in 2026?
How fast do medical assistant salaries grow in Wichita?
Is medical assisting school worth it in Wichita?
What do new medical assistants make right out of school in Wichita?
How do I become a medical assistant in Kansas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Wichita. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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