In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
The single best reason to earn the education to become a medical assistant in Georgia is the rapid growth of the healthcare industry combined with a relatively low cost of living, which allows medical assistants to stretch their income further than in many other states.
Georgia—particularly metro areas like Atlanta—is experiencing strong healthcare sector expansion due to a growing population, aging demographics and investment in its medical infrastructure—examples including Emory Healthcare and the Wellstar Health System. At the same time, housing and general living expenses are remaining lower than in many other high-growth states, such as California or New York.
This creates a rare combination and includes:
- Strong job demand
- Opportunities for advancement
- Affordable lifestyle
- Access to reputable healthcare employers
Overview: Medical assistants in Georgia
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 26,800 medical assistants in Georgia, making it the fifth highest state for employment, just after California, Texas, Florida and New York. The median hourly wage is $19 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade at the national level is 12.5%.
Here are five of the largest and most notable employers of medical assistants in Georgia. These employers value medical assistant skills not only for clinical support but also for patient experience, workflow efficiency and electronic records accuracy, making MAs critical to both front-line care and backend coordination.
- Emory Healthcare–Atlanta and vicinity:
- Emory Healthcare utilizes medical assistants to support outpatient care in specialty and primary care clinics,
perform vitals, EKGs and to assist physicians during exams, manage patient documentation in Epic EHR systems and provide patient education and care coordination for chronic disease management. - Wellstar Health System–Marietta, with facilities across metro Atlanta:
- Medical assistants at Wellstar Health System work in family medicine, urgent care and specialty offices. They handle front/back-office tasks such as scheduling, triage, lab prep and patient intake and support telehealth operations and post-visit follow-up care.
- Piedmont Healthcare–Atlanta, with locations in Athens, Newnan, Columbus and across Georgia:
- Certified medical assistants at Piedmont assist physicians in ambulatory (outpatient) clinics, collect specimens, record medical histories, administer vaccines and interact with patients pre- and post-visit for education and care instructions.
- Northside Hospital System–Atlanta, with facilities in Forsyth, Cherokee, Duluth and Gwinnett:
- Medical assistants at Northside support women’s health, cancer centers and imaging departments. They
assist with exams, minor procedures, patient prep and medication tracking and ensure accurate EHR entry and coordination between departments. - Kaiser Permanente Georgia–Atlanta, with multiple outpatient clinics around the metro area:
- Medical assistants provide integrated care support in managed care settings, take vitals, manage immunization records, scribe in real-time and coordinate between patients, doctors and digital health systems.
Georgia medical assistant salary stats
Medical assistants earned a median salary of $44,200 at the national level in 2024, said the BLS. Actual pay can fluctuate significantly based on factors such as location of workplace, your years of experience, earned professional certifications and your level of education.
Median salary for medical assistants in Georgia
Georgia offers moderate pay for medical assistants compared to other states—higher than many Southern states such as Alabama or Mississippi, but lower than national leaders like Washington, Alaska, Oregon or Minnesota. However, Georgia’s lower cost of living and strong job growth in urban areas like Atlanta make it an attractive option overall for medical assistants seeking stable employment and advancement opportunities without the high expenses of coastal states. Here are salaries at the statewide level and for highest paying metro areas in Georgia:
Medical Assistants
10%$31,130
25%$36,280
50%$39,000Median
75%$46,200
90%$48,950
Median Hourly Wage$19
Job growth12.5%
Total Employment26,800
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $45,040 | $36,010 | $51,310 |
| Gainesville, GA | $39,570 | $35,080 | $46,730 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $38,670 | $30,510 | $47,780 |
| Savannah, GA | $37,910 | $29,790 | $45,510 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $37,440 | $30,800 | $46,110 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $37,320 | $30,830 | $46,650 |
| Rome, GA | $37,040 | $31,220 | $44,910 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $37,010 | $29,360 | $43,980 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,730 | $29,380 | $43,230 |
| Hinesville, GA | $36,440 | $32,030 | $43,430 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary range for MAs in Georgia
Within the state of Georgia, medical assistants can expect to earn anywhere between $31,130 and $48,950 annually. This salary range encompasses entry-level positions all the way up to management roles, and takes into account factors such as employment status (self-employed vs. company employee, full time vs. part time), professional credentials pursued, education level and length of time in the position.
Employment by metro area
Your earning level may depend upon where you live within Georgia. Understandably, cities tend to pay better than rural or less populated areas. Here are some of the high paying areas in Georgia, their hourly pay range and why they may offer a higher salary:
| Georgia metro area | Hourly pay range | Healthcare market |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $19.50–$22.50 | Highest demand; many large hospitals and specialty clinics |
| Gainesville | $18.50–$21.00 | Strong healthcare network; smaller market but good pay |
| Savannah | $17.50–$20.00 | Steady demand; pay lower than Atlanta but cost of living also lower |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $17.00–$19.50 | Home to large medical centers like Augusta University Health |
| Athens-Clarke County | $17.50–$19.50 | University-driven demand, including research clinics |
Here’s what the BLS reports as the highest employment numbers for the top 10 cities in the U.S. As you can see, Georgia’s Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area ranks in the top 10, but the list is largely dominated by California, East Coast and Texas urban areas.
Georgia MA job outlook and growth
With a job growth rate of 12.5% nationally through 2034, Georgia holds even more promise for medical assistants. O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS, reported that Georgia will enjoy a 23% job growth rate through 2030, much greater than the national average, and the state will employ an additional 4,320 medical assistants during that same timeframe.
Factors that impact medical assistant pay
Key factors that specifically impact medical assistant salary levels in Georgia are:
Earning professional certifications:
Earning Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification may increase earnings by 10–15%.
Experience:
Three to five years of experience may often lead to supervisory or lead MA roles.
Specializing:
Working in cardiology, dermatology or surgical clinics may pay more than general family practice.
Size and type of employer:
Large hospital systems such as Emory or Piedmont typically pay more than small private practices.
Why is Georgia a good state to be a medical assistant?
The very best reason to choose Georgia as your destination state to work as a medical assistant is the convergence of high-demand healthcare jobs in a nationally recognized medical hub—Atlanta—combined with an affordable cost of living and strong career mobility.
Why Georgia stands out:
- Atlanta is a premier healthcare center in the Southeast, home to Emory Healthcare, CDC headquarters, Grady Health System (one of the largest public hospitals in the U.S.) and world-class institutions like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This means exposure to advanced medicine, specialty care and large hospital systems that actively invest in workforce development—including medical assistants.
- Unlike top-paying states like California or Massachusetts, Georgia offers access to major healthcare employers without crushing rent, taxes or living costs, making it one of the best cost-adjusted opportunities for MAs.
- The state’s healthcare sector is expanding rapidly, with consistent investment in primary care, outpatient services and telehealth—fields where medical assistants may be in especially high demand.
Why Atlanta specifically?
Atlanta is not just the capital city—it’s a regional medical epicenter with:
- Growing demand from a diverse and aging population
- Major teaching hospitals and research institutions; think Emory, Morehouse School of Medicine
- Cutting-edge facilities in cardiology, oncology and pediatrics
- A pipeline for promotion into nursing, tech or admin roles from MA positions
Georgia education path
To become a medical assistant in Georgia, you can follow several educational pathways tailored to different timelines and career goals. Here’s a guide:
Diploma or certificate programs (9–12 months)
- Offered by institutions like Georgia Piedmont Technical College and Gwinnett Technical College.
- Focus on essential skills such as anatomy, medical terminology, clinical procedures, administrative tasks and may include an externship.
Associate degree programs (18–24 months)
- Available at several colleges in Georgia.
- Combine core medical assisting training with general education courses, potentially facilitating future career advancement.
Online and hybrid programs
- Institutions such as Lanier Technical College and Middle Georgia State University offer online courses supplemented with in-person clinical experiences.
Employer-sponsored training
- Programs like Northside Hospital’s Medical Assistant School provide paid classroom instruction and clinical experience, potentially leading directly to employment opportunities.
State salary guides for medical assistants
Trying to figure out where to begin or further your medical assistant career? Salary may be a consideration when choosing where to practice your allied healthcare career, so doing your research is important. Here are salary guides for some popular states:
Cost of living in Georgia
Georgia’s cost of living is below the national average, particularly outside metro Atlanta, which makes it more affordable to live on a medical assistant’s salary compared to many other states.
For example, with an average MA salary of $36,000–$43,000 annually, many areas in Georgia—especially suburban and rural regions—offer lower housing, transportation and grocery costs, allowing for basic financial stability without requiring multiple jobs. In Atlanta, while costs are higher, careful budgeting and shared housing still make it feasible, especially when factoring in access to public transit and employer-sponsored benefits.
Georgia medical assistant associations
Georgia has several professional organizations dedicated to supporting medical assistants through education, networking and career development. Joining these organizations may provide valuable resources, networking opportunities and support for medical assistants seeking to advance their careers in Georgia.
Georgia Society of Medical Assistants (GSMA):
The GSMA is the state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), established in 1959. It promotes professionalism, advocacy and continuing education for medical assistants across Georgia.
Georgia Association Medical Staff Services (GAMSS):
GAMSS is an affiliate of the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS), focusing on credentialing and medical staff services.
Georgia Medical Group Management Association (GMGMA):
GMGMA is a non-profit association for individuals involved in medical practice management, including medical assistants with administrative roles.