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

A typical Medical Assistant in Missouri earns about $19.44 per hour, or $40,440 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,370 a month and $778 a week, figures calculated from the annual figure above. These numbers describe pay across the whole state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

Missouri pay sits 11% below the national figure of $45,690 a year, placing the state 39th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Lower pay in Missouri tends to track its lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. About 13,050 Medical Assistants work in Missouri, a small share of the 817,870 counted nationwide.

Entry-level positions in Missouri typically offer around $17.21 an hour, or about $35,810 a year, for those just starting out as Medical Assistants. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $40,440 within the first few years on the job. New hires in clinics or smaller practices often start at the lower end of this range.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Missouri often earn upwards of $23.25 an hour, with the top 10% of earners making over $48,360 a year. That's a spread of $12,550 between entry-level and top pay. The gap tends to reflect years of experience, the type of practice or hospital setting, and which city the job is located in.

Missouri's typical Medical Assistant pay has climbed steadily since 2015, when it stood at $28,470 a year. By 2025, that figure reached $40,440, a gain of $11,970 over the decade. That amounts to a 42% rise in pay over ten years.

Nationally, Medical Assistant pay rose 49% over the same decade, a slightly faster climb than Missouri's. Pay for the role has moved up steadily in Missouri year after year, though past growth is not a promise of future increases. Someone starting out now enters a role where pay has trended upward for a decade.

Pay runs highest in Kansas City, where Medical Assistants typically earn $45,300 a year, about 12% above the state figure. St. Louis follows closely at $44,710 a year, and Columbia comes in at $41,350. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Joplin pays the least among Missouri's metro areas, at $37,220 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $8,080. St. Louis carries the largest Medical Assistant workforce in the state, with 6,170 employed there. Cities with lower pay typically also have a lower cost of living, which tends to offset some of the difference.

Missouri's Medical Assistant pay lags most of its neighbors. Nebraska pays 17% more at $47,370 a year, and Illinois pays 14% more at $46,090. Kansas and Tennessee pay slightly less, each about 2% below Missouri's figure, while Arkansas trails at $37,760, down 7%. Medical Assistant licensure or certification requirements in one state can often be transferred or recognized in a nearby state, which can simplify a move.

Medical Assistants in Missouri typically earn $40,440 a year, or $19.44 an hour, up 42% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, with Kansas City and St. Louis paying more than smaller metro areas like Joplin. Readers considering the role can check Missouri's licensing or registry requirements for certification details, and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.