GA · Columbus · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Assistant jobs in Columbus, GA

The median medical assistant pay in the Columbus area is $17.66 per hour ($36,730 a year), with the typical range running from $15.74 to $20.22. That ranks 317th of 380 U.S. metro areas for medical assistant pay, and 251st of 339 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Columbus. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Columbus.

More open Medical Assistant roles in Columbus

1 more open role from employers in Columbus. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

Medical Assistant pay in Columbus, GA

The metro median is 6% below the Georgia statewide median of $18.75 per hour. Nationally the median is $21.25 per hour. BLS counts about 860 medical assistants employed in the Columbus metro area, 7.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.44).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$14.13$29,39034% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$15.74$32,74026% below U.S. median
Median$17.66$36,73017% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$20.22$42,0605% below U.S. median
Top 10%$20.79$43,2402% below U.S. median

How Columbus ranks

  • 317th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 251st of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 8th of 12 Georgia metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

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Named employers near Columbus, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Columbus

  • Overall prices in Columbus run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 39% below the U.S. average (index 61.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $17.66 median hour buys what $19.78 buys at the national price level, 7% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Columbus paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$636
  • Per year: $31,788
  • Per month: $2,649

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbus metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Columbus

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel medical assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Medical Assistant roles in Georgia

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Columbus as they open.

PermanentPosted 7 days ago

OBGYN CMA 1

Advocate Health · Georgia

$22.90–$34.35/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R273078
Top 25% payNew this week
View role
PermanentPosted 7 days ago

OBGYN CMA 2

Advocate Health · Georgia

$22.90–$34.35/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R273093
Top 25% payNew this week
View role
PermanentPosted 7 days ago

Orthopedic Clinic CMA

CommonSpirit Health · Ringgold, GA

$18.96–$26.78/ hour
  • Full Time
  • Req 101713832448
New this week
View role

All Medical Assistant jobs in Georgia

Hospitals in Columbus

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbus, 1 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside
Columbus, GA
Acute careFor-profit5 of 5No
St Francis Hospital- Emory Healthcare
Columbus, GA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5No
Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown
Columbus, GA
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
West Central Georgia Regional Hospital
Columbus, GA
PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Muscogee County

HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Muscogee County (1 population-group, 2 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 24 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Medical Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Auburn, AL37 mi$16.44/hr83,757
Warner Robins, GA71 mi$17.15/hr86,199
Macon, GA72 mi$18.00/hr157,056
Albany, GA76 mi$17.48/hr66,705
South Fulton, GA80 mi$21.66/hr112,003
Montgomery, AL82 mi$16.85/hr195,818

Medical Assistant jobs in Georgia · Medical Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Georgia

Medical assistant program or equivalent experience. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Georgia requires for your role with the Georgia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Georgia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Georgia state guide

Other healthcare roles in Columbus

Columbus city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical assistants make in Columbus, GA?

Medical Assistants in the Columbus metro area have a median pay of $17.66 per hour, about $36,730 a year. The middle half earn between $15.74 and $20.22 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Columbus a good place for medical assistants once cost of living is counted?

Columbus ranks 251st of 339 metro areas for medical assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 317th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Where do medical assistants work in Columbus?

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbus, led by Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Georgia license to work in Columbus as a medical assistant?

Medical assistant program or equivalent experience. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Georgia requires for your role with the Georgia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Columbus in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 3 active primary care shortage designations that include Muscogee County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Columbus?

The federal per diem benchmark in Columbus is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place medical assistants in Columbus?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbus and across Georgia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbus.

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What do employers near Columbus pay medical assistants? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Medical Assistant near Columbus, GA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Medical Assistant pay reportColumbus, GA · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Advocate HealthMacon, GA · 9 postings$28.62/ hr$22–$34
  • CommonSpirit HealthRINGGOLD, GA · 2 postings$22.09/ hr$18–$27
  • JK Health Care Group IncDuluth, GA · 1 wage offer$18.85/ hr$19–$19

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$20Median$28.62High$34

12 Medical Assistant postings with published pay in Georgia, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 12 Medical Assistant roles

  1. Medical Assistant II Med GrpPermanent
    $22.90–$34.35/ hour
    Advocate Health · Cartersville, GA · posted 3 days ago
  2. OBGYN CMA 1Permanent
    $22.90–$34.35/ hour
    Advocate Health · Georgia · posted 7 days ago

+ 10 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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