Healthcare Knoxville, TN Pop. 190,740

Medical Assistant Salary in Knoxville, Tennessee

The median medical assistant salary in Knoxville, TN is $34,443 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$34,443
vs State Avg
$-383
vs National
$-3,827
Cost of Living
88%

Medical Assistant Pay in Knoxville: What to Expect (2026)

Knoxville offers a median medical assistant salary of $34,443, which is $383 below the Tennessee state average of $34,826. Compared to the national median of $38,270, Knoxville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Knoxville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $34,443 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $39,140 in an average-cost city. This makes Knoxville an attractive option for medical assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical assistants in Knoxville spans from $26,460 at the 10th percentile to $46,800 at the 90th percentile — a $20,340 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,000, while senior medical assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $43,200. With a population of 190,740, Knoxville is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Medical Assistant Salary in Knoxville by Experience

In Knoxville, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $27,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $43,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$34,200
$-3,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$43,200
$-4,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Knoxville, TN

Percentile Knoxville
10th Percentile $26,460
25th Percentile $29,880
Median (50th) $34,443
75th Percentile $40,320
90th Percentile $46,800

Medical Assistant Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

Nashville, TN
$39,035
Pop. 689,447
Murfreesboro, TN
$35,974
Pop. 152,769
Chattanooga, TN
$34,443
Pop. 181,099
Memphis, TN
$33,678
Pop. 633,104

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Knoxville

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Knoxville and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Vital SignsPatient PrepMedical TerminologyEMR SystemsPhlebotomyScheduling

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Knoxville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Knoxville

Browse open medical assistant positions in Knoxville, TN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Knoxville

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Knoxville, TN? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Knoxville, Tennessee is $34,443 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $26,460 (10th percentile) to $46,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Knoxville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,443, a medical assistant in Knoxville earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Knoxville compare to the Tennessee state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Knoxville's median medical assistant salary of $34,443 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $34,826. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Knoxville, TN? ▼
Knoxville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a medical assistant salary of $34,443 in Knoxville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Knoxville? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Knoxville require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Vital Signs, Patient Prep, Medical Terminology, EMR Systems. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.