Medical Assistant salary in Tennessee
Medical Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $18.34 per hour, about $38,150 a year, 14% below the U.S. median of $21.25. The middle half earn between $17.27 and $21.22 per hour. The highest median among Tennessee metro areas is in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, at $19.95 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $18.34median pay per hour
- $38,150median pay per year
- 19,940medical assistants employed in Tennessee
- #44of 50 states by median pay
Medical Assistant pay in Tennessee: percentiles
| Level | Tennessee per hour | Tennessee per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $15.47 | $32,180 | $16.84 |
| Lower quartile | $17.27 | $35,920 | $18.08 |
| Median | $18.34 | $38,150 | $21.25 |
| Upper quartile | $21.22 | $44,140 | $23.15 |
| Top 10% | $23.12 | $48,090 | $27.80 |
Medical Assistant pay by metro area in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Tennessee median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $19.95 | $41,500 | 6,450 | 9% above | $20.71 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $18.52 | $38,510 | 2,250 | 1% above | $20.25 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $18.44 | $38,360 | 3,640 | 1% above | $20.00 |
| Knoxville, TN | $18.41 | $38,300 | 2,790 | in line with | $19.89 |
| Jackson, TN | $17.84 | $37,100 | 470 | 3% below | $20.86 |
| Johnson City, TN | $17.74 | $36,900 | 800 | 3% below | $20.18 |
| Cleveland, TN | $17.73 | $36,870 | 290 | 3% below | $20.13 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $17.65 | $36,700 | 650 | 4% below | $20.42 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $17.59 | $36,580 | 590 | 4% below | $19.34 |
| Morristown, TN | $17.12 | $35,610 | 270 | 7% below | $19.82 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Medical Assistant pay in states next to Tennessee
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $16.82 | $34,980 | 8% below Tennessee |
| Arkansas | $17.86 | $37,150 | 3% below Tennessee |
| Georgia | $18.75 | $39,000 | 2% above Tennessee |
| Kentucky | $18.63 | $38,750 | 2% above Tennessee |
| Mississippi | $16.73 | $34,800 | 9% below Tennessee |
| Missouri | $18.90 | $39,310 | 3% above Tennessee |
| North Carolina | $20.48 | $42,600 | 12% above Tennessee |
| Virginia | $20.34 | $42,310 | 11% above Tennessee |
What employers are posting in Tennessee
- 10roles with published pay
- $22.87median pay per hour
- $19–$27typical published range
- 1employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| CommonSpirit Health | 10 | $22.87 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 10 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Medical Assistant jobs in Tennessee · Medical Assistant salary nationwide · Tennessee state guide
Common questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Tennessee?
The median is $18.34 per hour, about $38,150 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $15.47 and the top 10% earn over $23.12 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Tennessee city pays medical assistants the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN has the highest median at $19.95 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Tennessee rank for medical assistant pay?
Tennessee ranks 44th of 50 states by median medical assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
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- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
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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
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
- Certified Medical AssistantPer diem$18.96–$26.78/ hour
- Certified Medical Assistant-Xray LimitedPermanent$19.44–$27.45/ hour
+ 8 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.