Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Muscatine, IA: $21.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Muscatine, IA runs $21.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,758 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Muscatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,856 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muscatine, Iowa, the projected medical assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $21.52. This figure is comparatively lower than the national median hourly rate of $23.06. Such an hourly wage is reflective of the local job market, particularly for part-time positions, where medical assistants often work three days a week. In typical healthcare settings, including primary care exam rooms, specialty practices, and urgent care facilities, part-time employees would find themselves earning around $1,656 monthly before deductions. The hourly pay range for medical assistants in Muscatine extends from $18.80 at the lower end to approximately $26.48 for top earners, suggesting a varied earning potential based on experience and the specific type of practice or facility in which they are employed. These hourly rates are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, framing a context for the overall compensation landscape in this field.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.80 | $150.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.18 | $153.42 |
| Median (P50) | $21.52 | $172.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.74 | $181.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.48 | $211.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muscatine
Based on $21.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.52/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muscatine, IA can expect to earn approximately $44,759 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,823. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muscatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muscatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $860.75 | $3,730 | $44,759 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $516.45 | $2,238 | $26,856 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.30 | $1,492 | $17,904 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Muscatine) | $21.52 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $44,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $47,921.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.52/hr = $26,856/year (purchasing power: $29,707).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,759/year (purchasing power: $49,512).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Muscatine grew 31.3% from $15.61/hr (2019) to $20.50/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Muscatine
The potential annual earnings for a part-time medical assistant working 24 hours a week amounts to around $41,644, contrasting the full-time average and indicating that those opting for part-time roles might have varying financial considerations. Per-diem medical assistant pay in Muscatine typically ranges from $20 to $30 per hour, with specialists such as dermatology and plastics offering rates of $25 to $38 per hour. It's not uncommon to encounter urgent care facilities providing additional stipends of $50 to $150 for extended shifts, enhancing overall take-home pay. Hourly wages differ based on employer type—primary care practices may offer lower rates than urgent care chains or specialty practices, which could provide a premium. Medical assistants should weigh the benefits of employer-sponsored health insurance against higher hourly rates that come without such coverage. When negotiating hourly pay, it's advisable for workers in Muscatine to articulate their credentials and the growing demand for medical assistants, leveraging the 4.97% projected growth rate to build a strong case for higher compensation.
More salary data for Muscatine, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Muscatine in 2026?
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Are medical assistants in Muscatine paid hourly or salary?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Muscatine. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Muscatine 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