Medical Assistant in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Mississippi employs 3,340 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $35,360 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Medical assistants Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Mississippi markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $35,360 median stretches to roughly $40,644 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow medical assistants employment +28.1%, faster than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 610 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

No state license; CMA/RMA certification employer-preferred — regulated by the No Mississippi state license.

1. Mississippi does not license medical assistants.
2. Complete a medical assistant program (certificate or associate).
3. Earn CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification — preferred by most clinics and a common stepping stone into nursing.

Official requirements: No Mississippi state license →

Training in Mississippi

One of the fastest clinic-based entries. Certification and an externship placement are what get you hired.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

• Blue Cliff College-Gulfport — Certificate
• Concorde Career College-Southaven — Certificate / Associate
• Delta Technical College-Mississippi — Certificate
• Hinds Community College — Associate

Where Medical assistants Work in Mississippi

Real Mississippi hospitals that employ medical assistants include:

• Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare of MS — Flowood
• VA Medical Center Gulfport — Gulfport
• University of Mississippi Med Center — Jackson
• North Mississippi Medical Center — Tupelo
• Mississippi Baptist Medical Center — Jackson
• Fmol Health I St Dominic — Jackson

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want the fastest entry into clinical healthcare and are comfortable with both patient care and administrative tasks.

Think twice if: A pay ceiling in the low-to-mid $40s and a broad scope of low-autonomy tasks sounds frustrating rather than engaging.

Why it's resilient: Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.

First Steps

Look for accredited medical assistant programs at community colleges — many run 9–12 months and include an externship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Mississippi state license (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Mississippi wages · Mississippi licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.