Medical Assistant Salary in Emporia, KS: $40,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Emporia, KS earns a median $40,248/year (≈ $19.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $44,277 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Emporia, Kansas, the projected medical assistant salary for 2026 is $40,248, which reflects a significant disparity compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range spans from $34,427 at the lower 10th percentile to $50,052 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a breadth of earning potential within the market. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local conditions. Medical assistants in Emporia working in specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedics, often earn considerably more than their counterparts in primary care settings, highlighting the existing pay gradient in the local healthcare landscape.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,427 | $16.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,116 | $16.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,248 | $19.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,877 | $20.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,052 | $24.06 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,625 (2026 est.). At $40,248, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Emporia median: $40,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $43,605 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -16.08% less |
Medical Assistants in Emporia, KS earn a median of $40,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $43,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $40,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,277 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,203
2025 BLS Actual
$38,342
2026 Current Est.
$40,248
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,203 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,084 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,245 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,342 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,248 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $29,203 (2019) to $38,342 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,248 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,045 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $34,427 – $35,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,116 – $40,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,248 – $42,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,877 – $50,052 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Emporia
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are only five medical assistants currently employed in the Emporia area, presenting both challenges and opportunities for job seekers in this field. The cost of living index in Emporia sits at 90.9, indicating that housing and everyday expenses are relatively lower than the national average, which enhances purchasing power to some degree. Employers such as specialty practices tend to offer the highest compensation, especially for those with additional certifications or bilingual skills. Factors influencing salary variances include the nature of the practice—where dermatology and plastic surgery command a premium over primary care—as well as lead responsibilities and advanced skill sets, like phlebotomy and EKG training. To maximize earning potential in this market, medical assistants should consider pursuing extra certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying specialty clinics, and highlighting relevant skills that set them apart in the workforce.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
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 $38,342 for medical assistantsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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