Medical Assistant Salary in Rock Island, IL: $47,014 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Rock Island, IL earns a median $47,014/year (≈ $22.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $48,418 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Island, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $47,014, slightly trailing behind the national median of $47,961. Medical assistants in this area can expect to earn between $36,632 at the lower end and $57,581 for the top earners, with local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors. Specialty practices, particularly in fields like dermatology and orthopedics, pay notably higher than primary care settings, reflecting a pay gradient that rewards advanced skills and experience. Given these dynamics, Rock Island offers a competitive environment for medical assistants looking to advance their careers, especially in specialty medical offices.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,632 | $17.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,509 | $19.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,014 | $22.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,203 | $23.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,581 | $27.68 |
Median Salary Position
1.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,949 (2026 est.). At $47,014, the local median is 1.97% below the national median of $47,961.
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At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be above the median
How Rock Island Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $47,014/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $45,912 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -1.97% less |
Medical Assistants in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $47,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.40% above the Illinois state average of $45,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $47,014 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,418 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,113
2025 BLS Actual
$44,788
2026 Current Est.
$47,014
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,113 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,456 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,514 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,014 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,351 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $34,113 (2019) to $44,788 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,238 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $36,632 – $41,509 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,509 – $47,014 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,014 – $49,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,203 – $57,581 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Rock Island
Despite the relatively modest population of only five medical assistants employed in Rock Island, their compensation aligns with the local cost of living index, which stands at 97.1, suggesting that wages go further than they might in higher-cost urban areas. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include specialty practices such as cardiology and dermatology, while urgent care clinics also provide competitive pay structures. The disparity between lower and higher salaries in this market often stems from additional skills like certifications in phlebotomy and EKG, as well as language proficiency in Spanish or Mandarin, which can enhance earning potential. For those interested in maximizing their medical assistant pay in Rock Island, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT—along with considering pathways to LPN or RN status—can be effective strategies for navigating the career landscape.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 $44,788 for medical assistantsin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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