State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Medical Assistant Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Medical Assistants earn a median of $45,690 per year ($21.97/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 12.5% through 2034, with about 112,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
SOC 31-9092Healthcare SupportLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $45,690
- Projected growth
- +12.5%
- Openings a year
- 112,300
- Typical education
- Certificate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Chiropractor Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Doctor's Assistant, Health Assistant, Ophthalmic Assistant.
How much do Medical Assistants make?
10th percentile$36,050
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$38,470
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$45,690
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$49,180
Upper quartile
90th percentile$59,310
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $45,690 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $21.97/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $46,120 |
| People employed | 817,870 |
Versus all US occupations
At $45,690, Medical Assistants earn 10% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,290 a year.
Versus healthcare support occupations
The median is typical for the Healthcare Support group, where the middle occupation pays $44,910.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $59,310 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,050, a gap of 1.6×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 18% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $59,290, and still leads at $55,404 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Medical Assistants the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 | $55,404 | 19,500 |
| Alaska | $52,560 | $51,349 | 2,140 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $46,451 | 2,260 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $51,186 | 10,580 |
| Oregon | $50,410 | $48,771 | 11,840 |
| California | $49,660 | $44,852 | 117,060 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $46,768 | 14,880 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $51,735 | 13,810 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $44,029 | 3,890 |
| Colorado | $48,400 | $46,967 | 13,160 |
Is Medical Assistant a growing career?
Medical Assistants12.5%
All US occupations3.1%
+12.5% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Medical Assistants to change 12.5% over 2024–2034, roughly 4.0× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 101,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 112,300 openings are projected each year, 13.8% of the 811,000 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The growing size of the older adult population, which typically has more healthcare concerns than younger age groups, will increase demand for medical services. As a result, more medical assistants will be needed to support healthcare teams in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other care settings by performing routine administrative and clinical tasks.
How to become a Medical Assistant
Certification for medical assistants is generally voluntary rather than a state license. BLS states that although most states do not require it, employers may prefer or require that medical assistants be certified, and that some states do require graduation from an accredited program, licensure or certification. Typical entry is a one- to two-year postsecondary certificate or associate degree, though some medical assistants enter with a high school diploma and learn on the job.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete a postsecondary medical assisting program1-2 years
Certificate and associate degree programs at community colleges, vocational and technical schools and universities cover medical terminology, anatomy and pharmacology and typically include a practicum or internship. Choosing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program is what keeps the CMA (AAMA) exam open to you.
- Or enter through on-the-job training
BLS notes some medical assistants have a high school diploma and learn their duties on the job or through an apprenticeship, taught by physicians or other medical assistants; this may take several months. This route can limit which certification exams you are eligible for.
- Check what your state actually requires
Most states set no requirement, but some require graduation from an accredited program, licensure or certification, or other prerequisites. Contact the state licensing agency where you intend to work.
- Sit a certification exam if you want one
The main options are the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam, the RMA from American Medical Technologists, and the CCMA from the National Healthcareer Association. Employers may also require Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Keep the certification current
The CMA (AAMA) is recertified every 60 months by continuing education or by exam; NHA certifications renew every two years.
Exams you have to pass
CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam (CMA (AAMA))
The main eligibility route is being a student or graduate of a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES; AAMA also lists categories for previously certified CMAs, qualifying medical assisting educators, and certain other postsecondary medical assisting or apprenticeship program graduates. The credential is valid for 60 months.
Administered by American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
A separate voluntary medical assisting certification. AMT publishes several eligibility routes and notes that requirements may change and that applicants are held to the criteria current at the time of application.
Administered by American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
Eligibility requires a high school diploma or equivalent (or being scheduled to earn one within 12 months) plus either completion of a medical assistant training or education program within the last 5 years, or 1 year of supervised medical assisting work experience within the last 3 years, or 2 years within the last 5. Certification must be renewed every two years.
Administered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Program accreditation
CAAHEP · Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
The largest programmatic accreditor of health sciences education. Graduating from (or being a student in) a CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting program is the primary eligibility route for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam.
- Program accreditation
ABHES · Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
The alternative accreditor AAMA accepts: being a student or graduate of an ABHES-accredited medical assisting program also makes you eligible for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam. AAMA lists further eligibility categories beyond accredited-program graduates.
- How long the training takes
1-2 years
BLS reports that postsecondary medical assisting programs, for a certificate or an associate degree, take about 1 or 2 years to complete. Medical assistants without postsecondary education may instead learn through on-the-job training or an apprenticeship, which BLS says may take several months.
- Continuing education
Not required
There is no national continuing-education requirement, because certification itself is generally voluntary. The certifications that do exist expire: the CMA (AAMA) must be recertified every 60 months, either with 60 continuing education units (30 of which must be AAMA CEUs, with at least 10 from each of the general, administrative and clinical categories) or by retaking the exam; NHA certifications must be renewed every two years.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
Medical assisting is not a licensed occupation in most states, so in most places nothing legally stops you working as one without a credential; the pressure to certify comes from employers. BLS does note that some states require medical assistants to graduate from an accredited program, be licensed or certified, or meet other prerequisites in order to practice, and directs candidates to their state licensing agency. Check that agency before assuming certification is optional where you live.
Who governs the credential
- American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) — Awards the CMA (AAMA) credential through its own certification exam, and administers recertification.
- American Medical Technologists (AMT) — Awards the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential.
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA) — Awards the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), one of its allied health certifications.
Credential detail for medical assistants is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- AAMA, CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam Eligibility · checked August 23, 2026
- AAMA, Recertification · checked August 23, 2026
- American Medical Technologists, RMA certification · checked August 23, 2026
- National Healthcareer Association, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) · checked August 23, 2026
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Medical assistants typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate. Some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn through on-the-job training.
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as medical assistants.
- Post-Secondary Certificate44.7%
- High School Diploma20.5%
- Bachelor's Degree17.5%
- Some College Courses17.2%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)0.1%
What does a Medical Assistant do?
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs. Their duties vary by location, specialty, and employer.
Day-to-day tasks
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
- Schedule appointments for patients.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most medical assistants work full time. Some work evening, weekend, or holiday shifts in medical facilities that are open around the clock.
Where the work happens
- Indoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Mistakes carry very serious consequences
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where medical assistants work
| Offices of physicians | 57% |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 17% |
| Outpatient care centers | 10% |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 7% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Writing3.4/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Learning Strategies3.1/5
Transferable skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Coordination3.5/5
- Service Orientation3.5/5
- Instructing3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Persuasion2.8/5
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Billing and invoicing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Categorization or classification software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Medical Assistant?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.1
Investigative3.8
Artistic1.0
Socialprimary4.8
Enterprising2.0
Conventionalprimary5.8
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Medical Assistant: frequently asked questions
How much do Medical Assistants make?
Medical Assistants earn a median of $45,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 10% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.97/hr. The middle half earn between $38,470 and $49,180. The top 10% earn $59,310 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Medical Assistant?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Medical Assistants. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 44.7% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Medical Assistant a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 12.5% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 112,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Medical Assistant do?
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs. A core O*NET task: interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Medical Assistants the most?
The highest state medians for Medical Assistants are Washington ($59,290), Alaska ($52,560), District of Columbia ($51,050) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Medical Assistant?
O*NET scores Medical Assistants highest on the Conventional, Social and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Medical Assistant?
1-2 years. BLS reports that postsecondary medical assisting programs, for a certificate or an associate degree, take about 1 or 2 years to complete. Medical assistants without postsecondary education may instead learn through on-the-job training or an apprenticeship, which BLS says may take several months.
Do you need a license to work as a Medical Assistant?
Not a state license. Medical assisting is not a licensed occupation in most states, so in most places nothing legally stops you working as one without a credential; the pressure to certify comes from employers. BLS does note that some states require medical assistants to graduate from an accredited program, be licensed or certified, or meet other prerequisites in order to practice, and directs candidates to their state licensing agency. Check that agency before assuming certification is optional where you live.
What exams and certifications apply to a Medical Assistant?
The CMA (AAMA) (CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam), the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant), the CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant). The main eligibility route is being a student or graduate of a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES; AAMA also lists categories for previously certified CMAs, qualifying medical assisting educators, and certain other postsecondary medical assisting or apprenticeship program graduates. The credential is valid for 60 months.