Medical Assistant Salary in Decatur, IL: $45,200 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Decatur, IL earns a median $45,200/year (≈ $21.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $51,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Decatur, Illinois, will earn a median annual salary of $45,200, a figure that falls slightly below the national median of $47,961. The projected salary range for this role varied between $40,067 at the 10th percentile and $51,467 at the 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates distinct pay disparities within the local healthcare market. Specialty practices, including dermatology and orthopedics, tend to offer higher salaries compared to primary care settings, reflecting the growing demand for specialized healthcare services in the area. For those considering a career as a medical assistant in Decatur, understanding these dynamics is essential for targeting the most lucrative opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,067 | $19.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,846 | $21.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,123 | $24.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,467 | $24.74 |
Median Salary Position
5.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,400 (2026 est.). At $45,200, the local median is 5.76% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Decatur median: $45,200/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $45,888 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -5.76% less |
Medical Assistants in Decatur, IL earn a median of $45,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $45,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $45,200 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,620
2025 BLS Actual
$43,060
2026 Current Est.
$45,200
2019–2027 Growth
+55.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,200 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 40.6% from $30,620 (2019) to $43,060 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,827 (54.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $40,067 – $43,846 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,846 – $45,200 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,200 – $50,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,123 – $51,467 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Decatur
In Decatur, approximately 130 medical assistants contribute to a steadily expanding healthcare workforce, projected to grow at a rate of 4.97% annually over the next five years. The cost of living index in Decatur is 88.422, which is below the national average, indicating that take-home pay can stretch further in this market. Employers in the area that pay the highest salaries typically include specialty practices such as orthopedics and cardiology, as well as corporate occupational health clinics. Factors influencing salary variation include specialty pay premiums, bilingual skills, and certifications that enhance employability, such as those from AAMA or AMT. For medical assistants looking to increase their pay, acquiring additional credentials and seeking roles in high-demand specialty practices can be effective strategies in maximizing earning potential in Decatur, IL.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $43,060 for medical assistantsin the Decatur 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
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