Medical Assistant in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Tennessee employs 19,180 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $39,570 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Medical assistants Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $39,570 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $34,840
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $45,580
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $48,540
- Employed in Tennessee
- 19,180
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $42,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Tennessee markets:
- Nashville
- $44,620 (6,340 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $40,160 (2,060 employed)
- Memphis
- $39,260 (3,350 employed)
- Knoxville
- $38,880 (2,550 employed)
- Clarksville
- $37,390 (670 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $39,570 median stretches to roughly $43,058 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow medical assistants employment +15.7%, faster than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,750 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is the professional standard — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for medical assistants.
- Tennessee does not require a state license for medical assistants. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program (1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree) at a TCAT campus, community college, or vocational school.
- Earn the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential — required by most Tennessee healthcare employers including HCA Healthcare, Vanderbilt, and Ascension.
- Apply to physician offices, urgent care clinics, and multi-specialty practices. HCA Healthcare's large Nashville-area clinic network and Vanderbilt's outpatient network are major MA employers.
Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for medical assistants →
Training in Tennessee
TCAT campuses statewide and Volunteer State Community College offer accredited MA programs. HCA Healthcare — the nation's largest for-profit hospital system, headquartered in Nashville — is a major employer of MAs across Tennessee and creates a substantial career ladder within its network.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Academy of Allied Health Careers — Certificate
- Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — Certificate / Associate
- Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Cleveland State Community College — Associate
Where Medical assistants Work in Tennessee
Real Tennessee hospitals that employ medical assistants include:
- Methodist Hospitals of Memphis — Memphis
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville
- Baptist Memorial Hospital — Memphis
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center — Memphis
- Erlanger Health System — Chattanooga
- Jackson-Madison County General Hospital — 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
How much do medical assistants make in Tennessee?
The median wage for medical assistants in Tennessee is $39,570 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $34,840, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $48,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Medical Assistant in Tennessee?
None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is the professional standard, overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for medical assistants. Tennessee does not require a state license for medical assistants. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program (1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree) at a TCAT campus, community college, or vocational school.
Is being a Medical Assistant a good career in Tennessee?
Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.
Which Tennessee metros pay medical assistants the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $44,620, followed by Chattanooga ($40,160), Memphis ($39,260). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Medical Assistant in Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Academy of Allied Health Careers, Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers, Chattanooga State Community College. Most medical assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Medical Assistant a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects medical assistants employment to change +15.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,750 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for medical assistants (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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.