Medical Assistant salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Medical Assistants in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $37,470 a year ($18.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,290 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 7% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $40,440. There are 7.8 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,370 | $16.53 |
| 25th percentile | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Median | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| 75th percentile | $42,010 | $20.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Average (mean) | $38,850 | $18.68 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,561.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,441.15 |
| Weekly | $720.58 |
| Hourly | $18.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $47,270 | 15,640 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,300 | 4,220 |
| Springfield, IL | $45,140 | 790 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $44,710 | 6,170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $44,700 | 840 |
| Peoria, IL | $44,680 | 710 |
| Rockford, IL | $44,390 | 690 |
| Decatur, IL | $43,060 | 130 |
| Columbia, MO | $41,350 | 380 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $40,280 | 270 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,360 | 450 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,130 | 460 |
| Kankakee, IL | $38,440 | 210 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $38,260 | 280 |
| Bloomington, IL | $38,070 | 230 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,870 | 1,600 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $37,220 | 440 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,010 | $29.81 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area is $37,470 a year, or $18.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn at least $45,290 a year. The top 25% earn $42,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,370 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $36,130 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
About 350 medical assistants are employed in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.