Medical Assistant salary in Tennessee
Medical Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $39,570 a year ($19.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,540 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $45,690. Tennessee ranks 41st of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 5.8 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| 25th percentile | $37,160 | $17.86 |
| Median | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| 75th percentile | $45,580 | $21.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Average (mean) | $41,480 | $19.94 |
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 | $3,297.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,648.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,521.92 |
| Weekly | $760.96 |
| Hourly | $19.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,570 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,620 | 6,340 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,160 | 2,060 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,260 | 3,350 |
| Knoxville, TN | $38,880 | 2,550 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,040 | 690 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,740 | 760 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,390 | 670 |
| Jackson, TN | $37,280 | 420 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,170 | 230 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,760 | 240 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Orderly | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,320 | $14.58 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for medical assistants in Tennessee is $39,570 a year, or $19.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Tennessee earn at least $48,540 a year. The top 25% earn $45,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,840 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $37,160 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Tennessee?
About 19,180 medical assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.