Tennessee Median
$39,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $45,690
State Rank
#41 of 51
19,180 employed here
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Tennessee?
Medical Assistants in Tennessee take home a median of $39,570 annually — roughly $19.02 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $45,690.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $34,840 while the top 10% make $48,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,160 and $45,580 a year.
Medical Assistant salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,840 | $16.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,160 | $17.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,570 | $19.02 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,580 | $21.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,540 | $23.34 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories for Medical Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Medical Assistant salary in other states
Washington $59,290Alaska $52,560District of Columbia $51,050Minnesota $50,480Oregon $50,410California $49,660Massachusetts $49,460Wisconsin $48,680Hawaii $48,410Colorado $48,400New Hampshire $48,020New York $48,000Maine $47,580Connecticut $47,430Nebraska $47,370Vermont $47,250New Jersey $47,210Rhode Island $47,190Montana $46,820Maryland $46,410Illinois $46,090North Dakota $45,980Arizona $45,940Iowa $45,480Utah $45,360Nevada $45,200North Carolina $45,140Indiana $45,110Virginia $44,740Idaho $44,700Delaware $44,490Pennsylvania $43,920Florida $43,680Ohio $42,810South Dakota $41,870Georgia $41,600South Carolina $41,160Wyoming $40,920Missouri $40,440Michigan $39,870Texas $39,520Kansas $39,510Kentucky $39,270New Mexico $39,230Oklahoma $38,750Arkansas $37,760West Virginia $37,180Louisiana $36,320Alabama $36,100Mississippi $35,360
Working as a Medical Assistant in Tennessee
Nationally, about 818,000 people work as Medical Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($39,570) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Medical Assistant make in Tennessee?
The median Medical Assistant salary in Tennessee is $39,570 per year, or about $19.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,840 at the entry level to $48,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Medical Assistants about 13% less than the national median of $45,690. Tennessee ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Medical Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,570 a year. About 19,180 Medical Assistants are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Medical Assistant salary report
Related salaries
$39,160
median pay · 4,000 employed
$38,290
median pay · 52,000 employed
$44,910
median pay · 36,000 employed
$47,700
median pay · 77,000 employed
$38,150
median pay · 127,000 employed
$60,600
median pay · 101,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.