Medical Assistant Salary in Jackson, TN: $39,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Jackson, TN earns a median $39,133/year (≈ $18.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.5), that paycheck buys what $45,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Tennessee, the projected median salary for medical assistants in 2026 stands at $39,133, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role varies widely, from $31,764 at the 10th percentile to $47,457 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse needs in the local healthcare market. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that Jackson's landscape for medical assistant pay remains competitive yet presents a significant disparity compared to national standards. Factors such as specialization and bilingual skills often influence compensation, making these elements crucial for job seekers in this vibrant community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,764 | $15.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,653 | $18.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,133 | $18.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,528 | $21.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,457 | $22.82 |
Median Salary Position
18.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, TN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,693 (2026 est.). At $39,133, the local median is 18.41% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Jackson median: $39,133/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,769 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -18.41% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 14.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, TN has a cost-of-living index of 85.522 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $39,133 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,758 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,300
2025 BLS Actual
$37,280
2026 Current Est.
$39,133
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 23.0% from $30,300 (2019) to $37,280 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,778 (35.57%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,764 – $37,653 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,653 – $39,133 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,133 – $44,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,528 – $47,457 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Jackson
Looking at the local job market, there are approximately 420 medical assistants employed in the Jackson area, contributing to a steady demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in Jackson is 85.522, which is below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than in other regions, the purchasing power of local medical assistants can be relatively robust. Certain employers, including specialty practices in dermatology and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress, tend to offer higher salaries. To maximize earning potential, medical assistants in Jackson should consider enhancing their qualifications through certifications and exploring opportunities in high-paying sectors. Furthermore, bilingual skills can be a strong asset, particularly for those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, adding to overall marketability and potential pay increases.
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
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 $37,280 for medical assistantsin the Jackson 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
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