Medical Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN: $46,838 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Nashville, TN earns a median $46,838/year (≈ $22.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $48,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Nashville is projected to be $46,838, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants in the city is estimated to lie between $38,430 at the lower end (P10) to $54,448 at the higher end (P90). This data, derived from the official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a robust market that is evolving as healthcare expands in the region. As Nashville's medical landscape grows, professionals eyeing the medical assistant role may find opportunities to bridge into nursing roles, which could ultimately enhance their long-term earnings and career trajectory.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,430 | $18.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,245 | $19.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,838 | $22.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,945 | $24.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,448 | $26.18 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,018 (2026 est.). At $46,838, the local median is 2.34% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be above the median
How Nashville Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Nashville median: $46,838/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,760 | +17.80% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -2.34% less |
Medical Assistants in Nashville, TN earn a median of $46,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 17.80% above the Tennessee state average of $39,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $46,838 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% 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
$33,780
2025 BLS Actual
$44,620
2026 Current Est.
$46,838
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,838 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 32.1% from $33,780 (2019) to $44,620 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,385 (45.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $38,430 – $40,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,245 – $46,838 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,838 – $49,945 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,945 – $54,448 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Nashville
With around 6,340 medical assistants currently employed in Nashville, the market remains competitive, particularly in areas like primary care and urgent care settings. The cost of living index in Nashville stands at 96.338, slightly below the national average, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the take-home purchasing power may vary based on location. Among employers, specialty practices—such as dermatology and orthopedic clinics—often provide the highest compensation, influenced by the presence of premiums for certifications or bilingual skills. To maximize medical assistant pay in Nashville TN, pursuing additional certifications from organizations like AAMA or NCCT, as well as seeking roles in urgent care or specialty fields, may yield substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Nashville, TN in 2026?
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Nashville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Nashville?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Nashville?
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 $44,620 for medical assistantsin the Nashville 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