TN · Memphis · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Assistant jobs in Memphis, TN

The median medical assistant pay in the Memphis area is $18.44 per hour ($38,360 a year), with the typical range running from $17.59 to $21.09. That ranks 253rd of 380 U.S. metro areas for medical assistant pay, and 232nd of 339 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 11 hospitals in Memphis. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Memphis.

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More open Medical Assistant roles in Memphis

14 more open roles from employers in Memphis. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

All Medical Assistant jobs in Tennessee

Medical Assistant pay in Memphis, TN

The metro median is 1% above the Tennessee statewide median of $18.34 per hour. Nationally the median is $21.25 per hour. BLS counts about 3,640 medical assistants employed in the Memphis metro area, 5.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.14).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$16.38$34,07023% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$17.59$36,59017% below U.S. median
Median$18.44$38,36013% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$21.09$43,8701% below U.S. median
Top 10%$22.57$46,9506% above U.S. median

How Memphis ranks

  • 253rd of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 232nd of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 10 Tennessee 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 Memphis, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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What your pay buys in Memphis

  • Overall prices in Memphis run 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 20% below the U.S. average (index 79.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $18.44 median hour buys what $20.00 buys at the national price level, 6% 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 Memphis paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$664
  • Per year: $33,192
  • Per month: $2,766
  • Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

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

Travel assignment per diem in Memphis

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$129
Meals and incidentals per day$74
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,421
13-week assignment$18,473

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. 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 Tennessee

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

All Medical Assistant jobs in Tennessee

Hospitals in Memphis

CMS lists 11 hospitals in Memphis, 0 of the 5 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Baptist Memorial Hospital
Memphis, TN		Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Memphis Va Medical Center
Memphis, TN		Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal3 of 5Yes
Methodist Hospitals Of Memphis
Memphis, TN		Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Regional One Health
Memphis, TN		Acute careGovernment and federal1 of 5Yes
St Francis Hospital
Memphis, TN		Acute careFor-profit1 of 5Yes
Delta Specialty Hospital
Memphis, TN		Acute careFor-profitNot ratedYes
St Jude Childrens Research Hospital
Memphis, TN		Children'sNonprofitNot ratedNo
Crestwyn Behavioral Health
Memphis, TN		PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedYes
Lakeside Behavioral Health System
Memphis, TN		PsychiatricNonprofitNot ratedNo
Memphis Mental Health Institute
Memphis, TN		PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot ratedYes

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

Primary care shortage areas in Shelby County

HRSA lists 10 active primary care shortage designations that include Shelby County (6 population-group, 4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 22 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
Southaven, MS11 mi$18.44/hr57,493
Bartlett, TN12 mi$18.44/hr56,708
Jonesboro, AR63 mi$17.47/hr82,384
Jackson, TN74 mi$17.84/hr69,303
North Little Rock, AR130 mi$18.33/hr64,498
Little Rock, AR138 mi$18.33/hr204,774

Medical Assistant jobs in Tennessee · Medical Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Tennessee

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

Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.

Tennessee state guide

Other healthcare roles in Memphis

Memphis city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical assistants make in Memphis, TN?

Medical Assistants in the Memphis metro area have a median pay of $18.44 per hour, about $38,360 a year. The middle half earn between $17.59 and $21.09 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Memphis ranks 232nd of 339 metro areas for medical assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 253rd of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.

Where do medical assistants work in Memphis?

CMS lists 11 hospitals in Memphis, led by Baptist Memorial Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Tennessee license to work in Memphis as a medical assistant?

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

Is Memphis in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 10 active primary care shortage designations that include Shelby 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 Memphis?

The federal per diem benchmark in Memphis is $129 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,421 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place medical assistants in Memphis?

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

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

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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

Your Medical Assistant pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Tennessee list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • CommonSpirit HealthCHATTANOOGA, TN · 10 postings$22.87/ hr$19–$27
  • Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 11 postings$33.96/ hr$27–$41
  • CommonSpirit HealthSeattle, WA · 21 postings$31.77/ hr$26–$42
  • Sharp HealthCareSan Diego, CA · 11 postings$31.60/ hr$26–$37

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Tennessee list

2What they are offering now

Low$19Median$22.87High$27

10 Medical Assistant postings with published pay in Tennessee, 8 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 10 Medical Assistant roles

  1. Certified Medical AssistantPer diem
    $18.96–$26.78/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Chattanooga, TN · posted 3 days ago
  2. Certified Medical Assistant-Xray LimitedPermanent
    $19.44–$27.45/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Chattanooga, TN · posted 7 days ago

+ 8 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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