Medical Assistant salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Medical Assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $40,160 a year ($19.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,420 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $39,570. There are 7.7 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 25th percentile | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Median | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| 75th percentile | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Average (mean) | $40,760 | $19.59 |
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 | $3,346.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,673.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,544.62 |
| Weekly | $772.31 |
| Hourly | $19.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,620 | 6,340 |
| Gainesville, GA | $41,910 | 970 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,260 | 3,350 |
| Knoxville, TN | $38,880 | 2,550 |
| Savannah, GA | $38,780 | 990 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $38,620 | 910 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $38,470 | 1,620 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $38,400 | 1,000 |
| Rome, GA | $38,240 | 370 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,040 | 690 |
| Hinesville, GA | $37,830 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,740 | 760 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $37,690 | 210 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,390 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,280 | 420 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,170 | 230 |
| Dalton, GA | $37,170 | 320 |
| Albany, GA | $37,000 | 470 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $36,830 | 380 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,760 | 240 |
| 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,020 | $14.43 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Orderly | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,610 | $13.75 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $40,160 a year, or $19.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $46,420 a year. The top 25% earn $43,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,740 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $37,740 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 2,060 medical assistants are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.