How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Kentucky in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in Kentucky earns about $18.88 per hour, or $39,270 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,272 a month. On a weekly basis, pay comes to about $755, calculated from the annual figure. These figures represent typical pay across the state's Medical Assistant workforce.

That pay runs 14% below the national typical figure of $45,690 a year, and Kentucky ranks 44th out of 51 states and D.C. for Medical Assistant pay. Lower pay in Kentucky often tracks the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. About 13,440 Medical Assistants work across Kentucky, giving a sense of scale for how many people earn within this range.

Entry-level Medical Assistant positions in Kentucky typically offer around $15.84 an hour, or about $32,950 a year, for those just starting out. Pay in these roles typically moves toward the state typical figure of $18.88 an hour within the first few years on the job. New Medical Assistants often start in smaller clinics or entry-level roles before moving into higher-paying settings.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Kentucky often earn upwards of $22.09 an hour, or around $45,940 a year, as they take on more responsibility. The top 10% of earners make over $23.05 an hour, or about $47,940 a year. That leaves a spread of $14,990 between entry-level and top pay, a gap that typically comes down to years of experience, the type of practice, and which city the job is in.

Over the past decade, typical pay for Kentucky Medical Assistants climbed from $28,350 in 2015 to $39,270 in 2025. That's a gain of $10,920, a 39% rise over ten years. The increase has been steady rather than sudden, building year over year through the decade.

Nationally, Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same ten years, a somewhat faster climb than Kentucky's. Someone starting as a Medical Assistant in Kentucky today is entering a field where pay has risen every year for a decade, though there's no guarantee that continues. That steady climb is worth keeping in mind when weighing pay against other states.

Pay runs highest in Jefferson County, home to Louisville, where Medical Assistants typically earn $44,450 a year, about 13% above the state figure. These figures cover the full Louisville metro area, not just the city center. Lexington, in Fayette County, follows at $40,370 a year, also above the statewide typical pay.

At the other end, Owensboro pays the least among the cities tracked, with typical pay of $37,020 a year. That's a spread of $7,430 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Jefferson County also has the largest Medical Assistant workforce in Kentucky, with 4,140 people in the role. Pay differences like these usually track each area's cost of living.

Kentucky's neighbors mostly pay more for this work: Illinois leads at $46,090 a year, 17% higher, followed by Indiana at $45,110 (15% higher), Virginia at $44,740 (14% higher), Ohio at $42,810 (9% higher), and Missouri at $40,440 (3% higher). Tennessee is close at $39,570 (1% higher), while West Virginia pays less, at $37,180, about 5% below Kentucky. Medical Assistant licensing or certification requirements in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, simplifying a move across the border.

Medical Assistants in Kentucky typically earn $39,270 a year, or $18.88 an hour, a figure that has risen 39% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and by experience level, so it helps to check local figures before deciding where to work. Anyone considering the role should check Kentucky's certification or registry requirements, and compare pay in specific Kentucky cities before making a decision.