What Schools Won’t Tell You
chools advertise success with buzzwords like “high-paying jobs” and “competitive salaries.” But what does that really mean in Memphis? Let’s dig into real-world pay data—what entry-level vs. experienced assistants actually earn, how certifications and experience affect income, and what local employers are paying now.
💸 Memphis MA Salary Snapshot
Average Wage (All Medical Assistants)
- Indeed: $17.99/hr (range: $14.02–$23.09) ZipRecruiter+1Indeed+1Indeed+4Indeed+4Indeed+4
- ZipRecruiter: $17.75/hr, with 25th percentile at $15.24/hr and 75th at $19.52/hr ZipRecruiter+3ZipRecruiter+3ZipRecruiter+3
Certified Medical Assistants (CCMA, CMA, etc.)
- Indeed: Certified MAs earn about $18.46/hr, ranging from $14.79 to $23.04 ZipRecruiter+2Indeed+2en.wikipedia.org+2
- ZipRecruiter: Certified MAs in Memphis average $20.22/hr—top earners up to $26.43/hr ZipRecruiter
Entry-Level & Senior Roles
- Entry-Level MA: Around $17.75/hr, matching the general average ZipRecruiter
- Senior MA: Approximately $18.81/hr, a modest bump for experience Indeed
🧭 What This Data Tells You
Based on current listings (July 2025 on ZipRecruiter and Indeed) we’ve seen the following salary ranges for various levels of Medical Assistants in Memphis.
| Role / Credential | Avg Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level MA | $17.75/hr |
| General MA | $17.75–17.99/hr |
| Certified MA | $18.46–20.22/hr |
| Senior MA | $18.81/hr |
| Regional One Health MA | $23.13/hr (specific) |
| RMA (Registered MA) | $27.50/hr (ZipRecruiter) |
Key insight: Certification adds about $2–$3/hr. Specialist credentials, like RMA, can raise top wage to $27.50/hr. Some employers—like Regional One Health—offer up to $23/hr, well above average.
💼 What Boosts Your Salary in Memphis?
1. Certifications Matter
Certified MAs make $1.50–2.50/hr more than non-certified peers. That means roughly $3,000–5,000 annually—money well worth the exam investment.
2. Specialty Credentials (e.g., RMA)
Registered MAs can see $27.50/hr or more ✨—a jump of over $10,000/year compared to entry-level pay ZipRecruiter.
3. Experience & Role Level
Moving from entry-level to senior boosts pay by about $1/hr. Leadership roles (like lead MA) in specialty clinics can reach $25–31/hr, per job postings ZipRecruiter.
4. Employer & Facility Type
Large systems (Regional One Health, CVS/Oak Street Health, Methodist Le Bonheur) offer $18–23/hr, depending on site and volume Indeed.
💡 What Schools Don’t Show You
❌ Advertised vs. Real Pay
- Schools often say “earn $40K+ per year,” which assumes full-time, certified roles. But entry-level MAs average
$35K/year ($17.75/hr * 2,080 hrs) ZipRecruiterZipRecruiter.
❌ Credential Gaps Cost You
- No school talks about how much more certified or registered credentials are worth—$3000–20,000/year potential difference.
❌ Employer Differences Matter
- Not all graduates work in optimal clinics or hospitals. Your choice of employer after graduation can drastically alter your earning potential.
🧱 What Graduates Actually Earn
Based on job posting data:
- No certification, entry-level: $15.24–$17.75/hr (~$31–37K/year)
- General certified: $18.50–$20.50/hr (~$38–43K/year)
- Registered MA or senior roles: $20–27.50/hr (~$42–57K/year)
- Lead/Specialty MA: $25–31/hr (~$52–65K/year)
🎓 Salary Tips for Students in Memphis
- Get certified right away (CCMA, CMA). It boosts your bottom line immediately.
- Consider pursuing RMA after gaining experience.
- Target larger healthcare systems for better pay and stability.
- Use externships strategically—those with high-paying employers boost your resume.
- Negotiate using numbers you know. Armed with local wage data, you can ask for $18–20/hr—realistically including your value and local standards.
✅ Final Takeaway
- Entry-level MAs: ~$17.75/hr
- Certified MAs: ~$18.50–20.50/hr
- Registered/Senior MAs: $20–27.50/hr (top-tier)
- Employer matters—some pay $23+/hr
Most schools gloss over these nuances—but knowing them can lead to better training choices, smarter credential planning, and stronger job negotiations. Don’t settle for the brochure—know what your skills are worth in real Memphis dollars.
Curious What to Do Next?
- Compare certification-focused vs. general programs.
- Calculate ROI including salary bump from credentialing.
- Reach out to local employers about hiring trends.
Armed with real data, you can make your medical assistant training work for your wallet—not just your resume.