Medical Assistant salary in Columbia, MO
Medical Assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $41,350 a year ($19.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,100 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 2% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $40,440. There are 3.6 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $41,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,290 | $16.01 |
| 25th percentile | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Median | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| 75th percentile | $45,540 | $21.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,100 | $24.09 |
| Average (mean) | $41,790 | $20.09 |
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 | $3,445.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,722.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,590.38 |
| Weekly | $795.19 |
| Hourly | $19.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,350 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,300 | 4,220 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $44,710 | 6,170 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $40,280 | 270 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $38,260 | 280 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,870 | 1,600 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $37,470 | 350 |
| 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 Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $33,480 | $16.09 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area is $41,350 a year, or $19.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $50,100 a year. The top 25% earn $45,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,290 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $37,540 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Columbia, MO?
About 380 medical assistants are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.