Medical Assistant Salary in Memphis, TN: $41,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Memphis, TN earns a median $41,211/year (≈ $19.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $44,708 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Memphis, the 2026 median annual salary for medical assistants is projected at $41,211, a figure that reflects the local job market's competitive nature despite being approximately 14.07% lower than the national median. The salary range spans from $38,136 at the 10th percentile to $49,378 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity in pay driven by factors like experience, specialty focus, and language skills. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reveals a crucial aspect of compensation in the area: bilingual medical assistants, particularly those fluent in Spanish or Mandarin, can command higher salaries. This trend is especially significant in Memphis, where a diverse patient demographic increasingly demands exemplary communication skills in healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,136 | $18.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,679 | $19.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,211 | $19.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,216 | $22.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,378 | $23.73 |
Median Salary Position
14.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,242 (2026 est.). At $41,211, the local median is 14.07% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Memphis median: $41,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,779 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -14.07% less |
Medical Assistants in Memphis, TN earn a median of $41,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.07% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 3.60% above the Tennessee state average of $39,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $41,211 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,708 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,200
2025 BLS Actual
$39,260
2026 Current Est.
$41,211
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 18.3% from $33,200 (2019) to $39,260 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,059 (30.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $38,136 – $39,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,679 – $41,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,211 – $47,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,216 – $49,378 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Memphis
Currently, there are about 3,350 medical assistants employed across Memphis, TN, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost of living index in Memphis stands at 92.179, below the national average, which positively influences take-home pay and purchasing power for medical professionals. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include specialty practices such as cardiology or dermatology and urgent care centers like CityMD and MedExpress. Various factors contribute to the differences in pay: specialization can lead to a premium, and certifications in phlebotomy or EKG can enhance earning potential. To maximize pay, aspiring medical assistants should consider gaining experience in high-demand specialties or obtaining additional certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT, which could pave the way for greater financial rewards in this vibrant city.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 $39,260 for medical assistantsin the Memphis 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