Medical Assistant salary in Kentucky
Medical Assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $39,270 a year ($18.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,940 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $45,690. Kentucky ranks 44th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 6.7 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| 25th percentile | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Median | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| 75th percentile | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Average (mean) | $40,940 | $19.68 |
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 | $3,272.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,636.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,510.38 |
| Weekly | $755.19 |
| Hourly | $18.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $44,450 | 4,140 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $44,340 | 5,560 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $40,370 | 2,210 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,360 | 450 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $39,270 | 600 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $38,530 | 240 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,500 | 1,040 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,390 | 670 |
| Owensboro, KY | $37,020 | 280 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Phlebotomist | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Orderly | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $38,610 | $18.56 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for medical assistants in Kentucky is $39,270 a year, or $18.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Kentucky earn at least $47,940 a year. The top 25% earn $45,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,950 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $36,560 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Kentucky?
About 13,440 medical assistants are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.