How to Become A Medical Assistant in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 19,180 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,570 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical assistant in Tennessee, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in Tennessee
How do I become a medical assistant in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT. The licensing authority is the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for medical assistants. See the licensing section below for details.
What do medical assistants earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Tennessee is $39,570 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,840 and experienced professionals can earn $48,540 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards
- Median wage (Tennessee): $39,570 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Medical Assistant License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards oversees medical assistant licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT | CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT A certified medical assistant has training to function in an assistive role to a licensed physician or licensed nurse in the provision of patient care activities in… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical assistants wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 6,340 | $44,620 | $44,320 | $36,610 | $51,870 |
| Memphis | 3,350 | $39,260 | $41,410 | $36,330 | $47,040 |
| Knoxville | 2,550 | $38,880 | $40,580 | $32,980 | $47,890 |
| Chattanooga | 2,060 | $40,160 | $40,760 | $35,740 | $46,420 |
| Johnson City | 760 | $37,740 | $38,800 | $31,470 | $45,530 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 690 | $38,040 | $39,880 | $34,060 | $47,670 |
| Clarksville | 670 | $37,390 | $39,300 | $31,950 | $46,340 |
| Jackson | 420 | $37,280 | $38,330 | $30,260 | $45,210 |
| Morristown | 240 | $36,760 | $37,160 | $29,690 | $44,550 |
| Cleveland | 230 | $37,170 | $38,770 | $31,590 | $45,930 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Medical assistants in Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical assistant employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 6,340 | $44,620 |
| Memphis | 3,350 | $39,260 |
| Knoxville | 2,550 | $38,880 |
| Chattanooga | 2,060 | $40,160 |
| Johnson City | 760 | $37,740 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical assistants in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 19,180 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a medical assistant in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do medical assistants earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Tennessee is $39,570, which is $4,630 below the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |