Medical Assistant Salary in Meridian, ID: $43,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Meridian, ID earns a median $43,694/year (≈ $21.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $45,849 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Meridian, Idaho is projected to reach a median annual income of $43,694, reflecting the competitive nature of the local healthcare market where specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, often command higher wages compared to primary care settings. The salary range for medical assistants in this area spans from $35,200 at the 10th percentile to $58,377 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied compensation structure influenced by factors such as practice type and individual qualifications. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, suggest that medical assistant pay in Meridian ID remains slightly below the national median of $47,961, highlighting the unique dynamics of the city's job market where particular specialties tend to offer a premium to attract skilled professionals.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,197 | $17.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,694 | $21.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,425 | $22.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,377 | $28.07 |
Median Salary Position
8.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,177 (2026 est.). At $43,694, the local median is 8.9% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Meridian median: $43,694/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $43,520 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -8.90% less |
Medical Assistants in Meridian, ID earn a median of $43,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.90% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $43,520.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $43,694 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,849 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,704
2025 BLS Actual
$41,625
2026 Current Est.
$43,694
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,704 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,881 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,865 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,263 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,262 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $31,704 (2019) to $41,625 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,161 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,200 – $37,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,197 – $43,694 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,694 – $46,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,425 – $58,377 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Meridian
In Meridian, there are currently 30 medical assistants employed, and the cost of living index stands at 95.3, which offers a competitive edge in terms of take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically provide higher wages include specialty practices like cardiology and dermatology, as well as corporate occupational health clinics, which recognize the value of a highly skilled workforce. The gap in salaries often stems from the varying demand in different medical sectors—where specialty practices, especially in fields like plastics and urgent care, can pay a premium as opposed to primary care environments. To maximize earning potential, pursuing bilingual skills in languages such as Spanish or Mandarin, earning certifications in phlebotomy and EKG, or seeking roles that offer lead pay can significantly enhance compensation in the Meridian job market.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Meridian, ID in 2026?
Is Meridian, ID a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Meridian?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Meridian?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Meridian?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $41,625 for medical assistantsin the Meridian metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Meridian 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