Medical Assistant Salary in Columbia, TN: $38,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Columbia, TN earns a median $38,760/year (≈ $18.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $42,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbia, TN, the medical assistant salary is projected to reach a median of $38,760 in 2026, reflecting significant local market dynamics compared to the national median of $47,961. Medical assistants in specialty practices, such as dermatology and plastic surgery, tend to earn considerably more than those in primary care settings, which can account for salary variances reaching as high as 20-40%. The salary range for this role spans from $30,375 at the 10th percentile to $50,065 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there are substantial opportunities for higher earnings within this profession. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, highlight both the potential for growth and the competitive nature of the medical assistant market in Columbia.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($37,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,375 | $14.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,143 | $20.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,065 | $24.07 |
Median Salary Position
19.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, TN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,690 (2026 est.). At $38,760, the local median is 19.18% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Columbia median: $38,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,754 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -19.18% less |
Medical Assistants in Columbia, TN earn a median of $38,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.18% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $39,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $38,760 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,124
2025 BLS Actual
$36,925
2026 Current Est.
$38,760
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,124 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,973 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,056 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,943 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,101 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,925 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $28,124 (2019) to $36,925 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,563 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,375 – $31,990 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,990 – $38,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,760 – $42,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,143 – $50,065 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Columbia
In terms of the local job market, Columbia employs about 10 medical assistants, which presents distinct challenges and opportunities. The cost-of-living index in this area is 91.8, indicating that expenses are relatively lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power for those in this field. Employers offering the highest pay include specialty practices like cardiology and orthopedics, as well as urgent care chains such as CityMD and MedExpress. The income variation can often be influenced by factors like certification levels, experience, language skills, and market demand. To optimize compensation, medical assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications and specializations, especially in bilingual skills or high-demand areas such as urgent care. Understanding these elements can provide an edge in negotiations and career advancement within the Columbia TN healthcare ecosystem.
More salary data for Columbia, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,925 for medical assistantsin the Columbia metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Columbia is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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