Medical Assistant Salary in Johnson City, TN: $39,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Johnson City, TN earns a median $39,616/year (≈ $19.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $45,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median salary of $39,616 for medical assistants in Johnson City, TN, the local market reveals a significant gap compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range in this area spans from $33,034 at the 10th percentile to $47,793 at the 90th percentile, as noted in the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This indicates that while many medical assistants earn near the median, there are opportunities for higher pay, especially in specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics, which tend to offer premium salaries over the primary care sector. Such disparities make Johnson City’s job market appealing for those looking to enter or advance within this healthcare role.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,034 | $15.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,663 | $18.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,616 | $19.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,793 | $22.98 |
Median Salary Position
17.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,759 (2026 est.). At $39,616, the local median is 17.4% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $39,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,775 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -17.40% less |
Medical Assistants in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $39,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.40% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.40% below the Tennessee state average of $39,775.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $39,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,055 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,290
2025 BLS Actual
$37,740
2026 Current Est.
$39,616
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 28.8% from $29,290 (2019) to $37,740 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,295 (41.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $33,034 – $37,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,663 – $39,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,616 – $44,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,140 – $47,793 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Johnson City
The local job market for medical assistants in Johnson City is robust, with approximately 760 individuals employed in this field. Given the city's cost-of-living index of 87.928, which is below the national average, salaries can stretch further when factoring in daily expenses. Specialty practices not only provide higher pay but also benefit from high demand, particularly in fields like cardiology and urgent care. Factors such as bilingual capabilities, advanced certifications, and experience in specialized procedures can further enhance earning potential. For medical professionals seeking to maximize their compensation, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT and targeting specialty certifications related to phlebotomy or EKG can significantly improve job prospects and salary offers in Johnson City, TN.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 $37,740 for medical assistantsin the Johnson City 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