Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Jackson, TN: $18.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Jackson, TN runs $18.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,133 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,476 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Tennessee, the medical assistant hourly pay stands at $18.81, significantly trailing behind the national median of $23.06. This difference in pay can influence both part-time and per-diem workers in various healthcare settings, including primary care exam rooms, urgent care facilities, and specialty practice procedure rooms. For those working part-time, like a three-day workweek, this hourly wage allows for a reasonable living while accommodating personal schedules. Entry-level medical assistants begin at around $15.27 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $22.82 hourly. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and reflect the current state of the profession in the region, providing insight into the earning potential for this in-demand role.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.27 | $122.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.10 | $144.77 |
| Median (P50) | $18.81 | $150.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.41 | $171.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.82 | $182.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $18.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.81/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, TN can expect to earn approximately $39,126 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,573. With a cost-of-living index of 85.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $752.42 | $3,261 | $39,126 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $451.45 | $1,956 | $23,476 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $300.97 | $1,304 | $15,650 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Jackson) | $18.81 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Jackson, TN earn a median of $39,133 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.41% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.60% below the Tennessee state average of $39,769.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.81/hr = $23,476/year (purchasing power: $27,450).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,126/year (purchasing power: $45,750).
CoL index: 85.522 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Jackson grew 23.0% from $14.57/hr (2019) to $17.92/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Jackson
Analyzing the earning potential further, a medical assistant working part-time at 24 hours per week could realistically take home around $21,018 annually, while full-time counterparts are positioned for higher total earnings. Additionally, per-diem medical assistants in Jackson often command a higher rate between $20-$30 per hour, with specialists like dermatology or plastics potentially fetching $25-$38 per hour for their services. Urgent care centers sometimes offer substantial stipends for longer shifts, adding between $50 and $150 per 12-hour shift. The salary variations can also be traced to employer type; roles in urgent care chains or specialty practices typically offer higher compensation. However, many MAs opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, weighing personal choices against financial needs. When considering a job offer, aspiring medical assistants in Jackson should negotiate effectively, knowing that experience and specialty certifications can influence hourly pay rates and should not hesitate to advocate for competitive compensation based on their qualifications.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Jackson. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov