Medical Assistant Salary in Knoxville, TN: $40,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Knoxville, TN earns a median $40,812/year (≈ $19.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $44,088 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Knoxville, Tennessee, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $40,812, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,961, reflecting a wage gap of approximately 14.91%. The salary range for this role spans from $34,619 at the 10th percentile to $50,270 at the 90th percentile, indicating the potential for higher earnings in specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, compared to primary care settings. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrating variations in compensation that often align with the complexities and demands of specialty care practices—a critical factor for job seekers considering which avenue to pursue within the medical assistant field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,619 | $16.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,891 | $18.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,812 | $19.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,239 | $22.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,270 | $24.16 |
Median Salary Position
14.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,651 (2026 est.). At $40,812, the local median is 14.91% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $40,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,778 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -14.91% less |
Medical Assistants in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $40,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.91% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.60% above the Tennessee state average of $39,778.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $40,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,088 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,770
2025 BLS Actual
$38,880
2026 Current Est.
$40,812
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,841 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 22.4% from $31,770 (2019) to $38,880 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,071 (34.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $34,619 – $38,891 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,891 – $40,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,812 – $46,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,239 – $50,270 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Knoxville
With approximately 2,550 medical assistants currently employed in Knoxville, the local job market demonstrates strength and potential for continued growth, projected at an annual rate of 4.97%. The cost-of-living in the area, measured at an index of 92.569, suggests that while salaries are lower than the national average, daily expenses may also be more manageable, which can influence take-home income. Notably, employers like specialty practices and urgent care chains tend to offer higher pay, while the disparity in salaries also stems from factors such as providing bilingual services, holding additional certifications, and working in high-demand areas. To maximize earning potential in Knoxville, candidates might consider pursuing further certifications, such as phlebotomy or EKG specialization, or seeking roles in high-paying sectors to enhance their medical assistant pay in Knoxville, TN.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Knoxville, TN in 2026?
Is Knoxville, TN a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Knoxville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Knoxville?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Knoxville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $38,880 for medical assistantsin the Knoxville 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