Medical Assistant Salary in Liberal, KS: $40,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Liberal, KS earns a median $40,661/year (≈ $19.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $44,732 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Liberal, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $40,661. Compared to the national median of $47,961, this figure reveals a pay gap of about 15.22%. The salary range for medical assistants in this market stretches from $35,301 at the tenth percentile to $51,434 at the ninetieth percentile, highlighting the differences in pay based on experience, specialty, and location. Local estimates derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities suggest that while primary care roles dominate employment opportunities, specialty practices such as dermatology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery offer a significant pay premium, which is a key consideration for aspiring medical assistants in Liberal.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,301 | $16.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,007 | $17.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,661 | $19.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,369 | $19.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,434 | $24.73 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,133 (2026 est.). At $40,661, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberal Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Liberal median: $40,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $43,581 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -15.22% less |
Medical Assistants in Liberal, KS earn a median of $40,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $43,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal 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.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $40,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,732 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,503
2025 BLS Actual
$38,736
2026 Current Est.
$40,661
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,503 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,394 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,682 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $29,503 (2019) to $38,736 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,682 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,179 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $35,301 – $36,007 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,007 – $40,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,661 – $41,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,369 – $51,434 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Liberal
The job market for medical assistants in Liberal sees a modest employment level with only four professionals currently in the field. The cost of living index, sitting at 90.9, indicates that this area is more affordable than the national average, which improves the purchasing power for local workers. Among potential employers, specialty practices and urgent care centers tend to offer the highest compensation, often reflecting the demand for skilled medical assistants equipped with specific certifications and bilingual abilities. The variation in salaries can largely be attributed to the specialty practice premium, with additional factors such as bilingual capabilities, certifications, and lead roles potentially elevating pay. Medical assistants looking to maximize their income might consider pursuing advanced certifications or gaining experience in high-demand settings, positioning themselves favorably in Liberal's healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Liberal, 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 $38,736 for medical assistantsin the Liberal 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 Liberal 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