Medical Assistant Salary in Lafayette, IN: $46,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Lafayette, IN earns a median $46,554/year (≈ $22.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $49,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the medical assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $46,554 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge in this diverse market. The compensation range extends from $38,209 at the lower end to $51,351 at the upper, showcasing various opportunities within different healthcare settings. This salary data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the notable bilingual premium for medical assistants, which can significantly impact earnings in a community with a considerable Spanish-speaking and bilingual population. Understanding the local job market dynamics is essential for aspiring medical assistants in Lafayette, where increased opportunities are burgeoning alongside the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,209 | $18.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,225 | $19.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,554 | $22.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,895 | $23.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,351 | $24.69 |
Median Salary Position
2.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,142 (2026 est.). At $46,554, the local median is 2.93% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $46,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $46,741 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.93% less |
Medical Assistants in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $46,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.93% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.40% below the Indiana state average of $46,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,554 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,828 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,400
2025 BLS Actual
$44,350
2026 Current Est.
$46,554
2019–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 25.3% from $35,400 (2019) to $44,350 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,468 (38.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $38,209 – $40,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,225 – $46,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,554 – $48,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,895 – $51,351 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Lafayette
Lafayette’s job market currently employs approximately 400 medical assistants, contributing to a robust healthcare community. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43, residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which means that even a modest medical assistant pay in Lafayette, IN, stretches further in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, urgent care chains and specialty practices like dermatology or orthopedics typically offer the highest salaries, driven by demand and the value of specialized skills. Several factors create discrepancies in medical assistant compensation; bilingual abilities, certifications in phlebotomy or EKG, and experience in urgent care environments often lead to better pay. To maximize earnings, candidates should consider obtaining additional certifications recognized by AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT, and seek roles in high-demand specialties, as these strategies can lead to significant advancements in both salary and career development.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
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 $44,350 for medical assistantsin the Lafayette 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