Medical Assistant in Savannah, GA

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Medical Assistants considering a move to Savannah, Georgia.

The Salary Picture: Where Savannah Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Savannah’s healthcare economy is steady but not booming. You won’t find the explosive growth of Atlanta, but the demand is consistent, especially in primary care and specialty clinics. The key is understanding where your paycheck fits into the local landscape.

The median salary for a Medical Assistant in Savannah is $37,764/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.16/hour. It’s important to frame this against the national average of $38,270/year. Savannah pays slightly below the national benchmark, but the trade-off is a lower cost of living, which we’ll break down later.

Looking at the broader metro area, there are approximately 295 jobs for Medical Assistants. Over the next decade, the field is projected to grow by 15%, which aligns with national trends for allied health professions. This isn’t a field that will disappear; it’s a stable career path.

To give you a realistic salary progression based on local market dynamics, here’s a breakdown by experience level. These figures are estimates based on local job postings and industry reports.

Experience Level	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate	Typical Local Setting
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$31,000 - $34,000	$14.90 - $16.35	Large hospital systems, community health centers
Mid-Level (2-5 yrs)	$36,000 - $40,000	$17.30 - $19.23	Private specialty practices (cardiology, ortho)
Senior/Lead (5-10 yrs)	$41,000 - $45,000	$19.71 - $21.63	Teaching hospitals, management roles
Expert/Specialized (10+ yrs)	$46,000+	$22.12+	Surgical centers, specialized clinics (e.g., endocrinology)

How does this compare to other Georgia cities?

• Atlanta: Salaries are higher, often starting at $40,000+, but the cost of living, especially rent, is significantly higher. The competition is also fiercer.
• Augusta: Salaries are very similar to Savannah, with a comparable cost of living. The major employer is the VA hospital and Piedmont Augusta.
• Macon: Slightly lower salaries, but also a lower cost of living. A good option if budget is your primary concern.
• Columbus: Similar to Savannah in pay and cost, with a strong military and hospital presence.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the base salary. In Savannah, benefits packages can vary widely. Larger employers like Memorial Health and St. Joseph’s/Candler often offer better health insurance and retirement matching than smaller private practices. Always calculate the total compensation.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. The median salary of $37,764/year translates to roughly $3,147/month before taxes. After federal, state (Georgia has a progressive income tax, ranging from 1% to 5.75%), and FICA taxes, your take-home pay will be closer to $2,400 - $2,500/month.

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Savannah is $1,287/month. This is a key figure. If your take-home is ~$2,450 and rent is $1,287, you’re spending about 52% of your income on housing alone. This is above the recommended 30%.

Here’s a sample monthly budget for a single Medical Assistant earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$2,450	After taxes
Rent (1BR)	-$1,287	Average for the metro area
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	-$180	Savannah’s humidity drives A/C costs in summer
Car Payment/Insurance	-$400	Essential; public transit is limited
Groceries	-$300
Health Insurance (if not covered)	-$200	High premium for individual plans
Student Loans/Other Debt	-$200	Varies widely
Remaining	-$117	This is tight.

Can they afford to buy a home?
On a $37,764 salary, buying a home in Savannah is challenging. The median home price in the Savannah metro is around $275,000. With a 3.5% down payment, your mortgage, taxes, and insurance would likely exceed $1,800/month. This would require a significant increase in income or a dual-income household. The 95.6 Cost of Living Index (US avg = 100) helps, but home prices have risen faster than local wages. It’s a goal for later in your career, perhaps with a partner or after moving into a senior role.

Where the Jobs Are: Savannah's Major Employers

Savannah’s healthcare scene is dominated by a few key players. Knowing them is crucial for your job search.

1. Memorial Health University Medical Center: The region's Level I Trauma Center and the teaching hospital for Mercer University School of Medicine. They have the largest number of openings, especially for MAs with experience in high-acuity settings. They frequently post jobs for their outpatient clinics and main hospital. Hiring trends show a preference for candidates with Epic EMR experience.
2. St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System: A two-hospital system (St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital) with a vast network of primary care and specialty clinics. They are known for a strong community focus. They often hire MAs for their physician practices in the Midtown and Southside areas. Their hiring process can be slower but offers excellent stability.
3. Southeast Georgia Health System: Located on the Southside, this is another major employer with a hospital and numerous outpatient centers. They serve a broad population, including many retirees, so there’s steady demand in primary care and geriatrics.
4. Coastal Carolina Health Care (CCHC): A large, physician-led group with multiple locations in Savannah and surrounding areas. They are a major operator of community health centers. If you’re interested in serving underserved populations, this is a key employer. They often hire in batches for new clinic openings.
5. Private Specialty Practices: The real growth in pay often comes from private practices. Look for large groups in Cardiology (e.g., Cardiovascular Associates of the Southeast), Orthopedics (e.g., Optim Orthopedics), and Oncology (e.g., Georgia Cancer Specialists). These practices often pay above the median, especially for MAs who can assist with procedures or manage patient flow efficiently.
6. VA Medical Center (Savannah): A federal employer with competitive benefits and a strong union presence. The hiring process is lengthy but offers job security and excellent retirement plans. They serve a large veteran population in the Coastal Georgia region.

Insider Tip: Many of these employers post jobs on their own websites first. Set up job alerts on their career pages. Also, local staffing agencies like Aetna and Maxim Healthcare Services often fill temporary and temp-to-hire positions, which can be a great foot in the door.

Getting Licensed in GA

Georgia has very clear, straightforward requirements for Medical Assistants.

1. Education: You must graduate from an accredited Medical Assistant program. The most common accrediting bodies are the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). This typically takes 9-12 months for a certificate/diploma or 2 years for an Associate’s degree.
2. Certification (Not State License): Georgia does not have a state license for MAs. However, employers almost universally require you to be certified. The two primary national certifications are:
   • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
   • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
   • Cost: Exam fees range from $120 - $250. Some programs include the exam fee in their tuition.
3. Background Check: You will need to pass a criminal background check. The state of Georgia requires a specific fingerprinting process, which costs about $50 - $75. Most employers will cover this cost.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Enroll in a CAAHEP/ABHES accredited program: 1-3 months for application and start date.
• Complete the program: 9-12 months (full-time).
• Study for and take certification exam: 1-3 months post-graduation.
• Pass background check & get hired: 1-2 months.

Total realistic timeline: 12-18 months from start to first job.

Insider Tip: Savannah Technical College and South University both have accredited MA programs. Check if they have articulation agreements with local employers for clinical rotations. A good clinical rotation is often your best interview.

Best Neighborhoods for Medical Assistants

Where you live in Savannah dramatically affects your commute and lifestyle. Traffic can be congested, especially when bridges go up for ships.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For
Midtown	Central, walkable, close to St. Joseph’s/Candler. Mix of older homes and apartments.	$1,200 - $1,450	Those who want to be near the action, short commute to midtown hospitals.
Southside	Suburban, strip malls, newer apartments. Home to many specialty clinics and Southeast GA Health.	$1,150 - $1,350	MAs who work in private practices or Southside hospitals; prefer a quieter, car-dependent life.
Downtown/Savannah Historic District	Touristy, expensive, charming. Commute to hospitals can be 15-20 mins.	$1,400 - $1,800+	Young professionals who value nightlife and walkability, but budget is tight.
Thunderbolt	Working-class, maritime, locally-owned. Close to Memorial Health (10-15 min).	$950 - $1,150	Budget-conscious MAs who don’t mind a less polished area and a short drive to work.
Pooler	Fast-growing suburb west of Savannah. New apartments, chain stores.	$1,100 - $1,300	MAs who work at the VA or Southeast GA Health and want a modern apartment with easy interstate access.

Insider Tip: Avoid living on the islands (Wilmington, Tybee) as a single MA on a $37,764 salary. The traffic crossing the bridges during peak hours can turn a 15-minute commute into an hour, and rent is inflated. Midtown or Thunderbolt offer the best balance of affordability and proximity to major employers.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Savannah is a great place to build experience, but you need a plan to increase your earnings beyond the median.

• Specialty Premiums: Moving from a general family practice to a specialty like Dermatology, Cardiology, or Orthopedics can increase your salary by $3,000 - $6,000. These specialties often require more complex skills (e.g., assisting with minor procedures, EKGs, casting) and have higher reimbursement rates.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Lead MA/Office Manager: After 5+ years, you can supervise other MAs and handle administrative duties. This can push your salary toward $45,000.
  2. Phlebotomy/ECG Specialist: While not a promotion, obtaining additional certifications in phlebotomy or as an ECG technician can make you indispensable and open doors to higher-paying roles in labs or cardiology.
  3. Back to School: Many MAs in Savannah use their experience as a stepping stone. With an Associate’s degree, you can bridge into RN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or Healthcare Administration programs. Savannah has multiple colleges (Armstrong, South University) for this path.
• 10-Year Outlook: With 15% projected growth, you’ll have job security. However, salaries will likely keep pace with inflation, not soar. To get ahead, you must specialize, take on leadership, or transition to a higher-level degree. The experience you gain at Memorial or St. Joseph’s is a valuable credential if you decide to move to a larger city like Atlanta or Charlotte later.

The Verdict: Is Savannah Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Lower Cost of Living (Index 95.6 vs. 100) means your $37,764 stretches further than in Atlanta.	Below-average salary for the field. You won’t get rich as an MA here.
Stable Job Market with 295 jobs and 15% growth. Large employers provide stability.	Housing costs are rising, eating into the cost-of-living advantage. A tight budget is the norm.
Unique Culture & Lifestyle you can’t find elsewhere. Historic beauty, coastal access, good food.	Limited public transit. A reliable car is a non-negotiable expense.
Manageable Commutes compared to major metros, if you live in the right neighborhood.	Slower career pace. Fewer opportunities for rapid advancement or cutting-edge tech compared to academic hubs.
Great Starting Point to gain 2-3 years of solid hospital experience.	Summer humidity can be brutal if you’re not used to it.

Final Recommendation:
Savannah is an excellent fit for a Medical Assistant who is early in their career (0-5 years) and prioritizes lifestyle and job stability over maximum earning potential. It’s a place where you can get solid, diverse clinical experience at major hospitals without the crushing competition of a large city. If your goal is to work for 2-3 years, save money, and then either advance locally or move to a higher-paying market, Savannah is a smart strategic choice.

However, if you are a senior MA with a decade of experience looking to command a salary above $50,000, or if you want to be at the forefront of medical innovation, you may find Savannah’s market limiting. The trade-off is real: you get a charming, livable city, but you sacrifice some financial upside.

FAQs

1. Do I need to speak Spanish to get a job in Savannah?
While not mandatory, it is a huge advantage. Savannah has a growing Hispanic population, particularly in the service and agricultural sectors. Being bilingual can make you a top candidate, especially in community health centers (like CCHC) and busy hospital clinics.

2. Are there many per diem or part-time MA jobs?
Yes, especially at the large hospital systems. They use per diem staff to cover vacations and leaves. This can be a good way to gain experience, but it’s not stable. You’ll need a primary full-time job for benefits like health insurance.

3. What’s the biggest challenge for MAs moving to Savannah?
The initial salary shock. Coming from a higher-cost city, you might accept the lower pay, but then realize the local rent isn’t as cheap as you hoped. Budget carefully before the move. Also, the job search can be slower; start applying 2-3 months before your planned move.

4. Is it worth getting an Associate’s degree instead of a certificate?
For Savannah, a certificate is sufficient for most jobs. However, an Associate’s degree (2 years) makes you eligible for higher-paying lead roles and is a prerequisite if you ever want to bridge to nursing or administration. If you can afford the extra year, it’s a better long-term investment.

5. How do I stand out in the Savannah job market?

1. Get certified before you move. Don’t wait.
2. Highlight any EMR experience (especially Epic, which Memorial uses).
3. Be available for evenings or weekends. Many clinics have extended hours.
4. Network locally. Join the Georgia Society of Medical Assistants (GSMA) and attend their state conference. You might meet a hiring manager from Savannah there.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Georgia Department of Labor, U.S. Census Bureau, RentCafe, Zillow, Cost of Living Index (Council for Community and Economic Research).