Tennessee ranks 45th of 51 states and D.C. for medical assistants pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($55,120) by $16,970 — a 44% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $32,180 to $48,080 — a $15,900 spread, 30% tighter than the national $22,810 range.
Tennessee employs roughly 2.5% of all medical assistants in the country (19,940 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| 25th percentile | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| 75th percentile | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Mean (average) | $40,070 | $19.27 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $38,150 | n/a |
| Washington | $55,120 | +44% |
| Alaska | $51,860 | +36% |
| Oregon | $49,900 | +31% |
| District of Columbia | $49,740 | +30% |
| Minnesota | $49,380 | +29% |
| Hawaii | $48,820 | +28% |
| Massachusetts | $48,540 | +27% |
| California | $48,050 | +26% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | $38,130 | 12,350 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,090 | 3,090 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,210 | 24,870 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $37,970 | 3,490 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,960 | 29,540 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,910 | 111,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Medical Assistants salary in Tennessee?
The mean medical assistants salary in Tennessee is $40,070 per year. The median (middle) salary is $38,150 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Medical Assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level medical assistantss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $32,180 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $35,920 per year.
What is the highest Medical Assistants salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $48,080 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $44,140 per year.
How does the Tennessee Medical Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median medical assistants salary in Tennessee is $38,150, which is -14% below national average of $44,200.