Medical Assistant salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Medical Assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $38,620 a year ($18.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,000 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 7% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $41,600. There are 9.5 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| 25th percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Median | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| 75th percentile | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Average (mean) | $39,680 | $19.08 |
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 | $3,218.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,609.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,485.38 |
| Weekly | $742.69 |
| Hourly | $18.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $46,060 | 16,910 |
| Gainesville, GA | $41,910 | 970 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,160 | 2,060 |
| Savannah, GA | $38,780 | 990 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $38,470 | 1,620 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $38,400 | 1,000 |
| Rome, GA | $38,240 | 370 |
| Hinesville, GA | $37,830 | 70 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $37,690 | 210 |
| Dalton, GA | $37,170 | 320 |
| Albany, GA | $37,000 | 470 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $36,830 | 380 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,050 | 900 |
| Valdosta, GA | $35,320 | 340 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Massage Therapist | $73,330 | $35.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $25,190 | $12.11 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,910 | $31.69 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $38,620 a year, or $18.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $47,000 a year. The top 25% earn $43,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,410 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $35,670 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 910 medical assistants are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.