Get Your Degree!

Get information on programs from our featured schools.

What is a Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant in responsible for the daily care and treatment of patients, including intake, cleaning, and the delivery of medication all under the supervision of a physician or other qualified medical professional and are responsible for the daily treatment and review of patients, notifying supervisors when changes in the patients status occur. Medical assistants are also responsible for the day to day management of paperwork; supplies and other office work that may otherwise be attributed to a medical office assistant. Medical assisting is a fast growing field that requires the individual to be familiar with medical vocabulary, clinical and hospital environments and standard protocols in order to be effective.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$32,850

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

623,560

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Medical Assistant Schools

Healthcare Training Institute (HIT) is a medical career training center located in Union, New Jersey. Since 1961, the institution has been providing programs and certifications in different fields of the healthcare industry, from careers as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, to a Medical Billing/Coding Specialist.

The Medical Assistant training program at HTI provides students with the necessary hands-on experience, knowledge, and skills required to perform duties as a medical assistant (MA). The curriculum prepares students for the Registered Medical Assistant exam as well as the state’s Medical Assistant certification. Throughout the program, students are continuously trained to carry out clinical procedures, conduct routine laboratory procedures, and perform routine office diagnostic procedures. Read through the program at htinj.edu.

Acceptance Rate

37.5

Tuition

$15,500 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Recognized as the best vocational school around, Career Training Solutions is a multi-campus institution serving hundreds of students per year.  The college offers programs and training focusing on the fields of healthcare such as clinical medical assistant, administrative medical assistant, veterinary assistant, phlebotomy, pharmacy tech, and medical billing specialist.  

The Medical Assisting Certification program at CTS prepares students to perform different duties in the field of healthcare. Specifically, students are trained to master the everyday protocols and procedures in clinics, hospitals, assisted living environments, and other healthcare institutions. The college also has a Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy Certificate program offering similar coursework and training as the program above with an additional phlebotomy externship at a laboratory or hospital.

Acceptance Rate

63.89

Tuition

$31,479 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Located in Parkersburg, Mountain State College is a small, private college founded in 1888.  Mountain State College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).  The programs offered at MSC include a medical assistant degree and dependency disorder degree program.  Students at MSC will learn medical terminology, prepare patients for exams, human anatomy, specimen collection, and checking vitals. 

Graduates of the Medical Assisting program work with doctors in different healthcare institutions to assist them in performing basic clinical procedures and handling some administrative duties. These include clerical and bookkeeping functions, diagnostic tests using equipment, materials, and techniques, and routine patient care procedures. Students typically finish the certificate program within twenty-four months as part of the associate degree program.

Acceptance Rate

75

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Concorde Career College offers qualified students an exceptional learning environment to study and develop in specific learning domains.  CCC has accredited career-oriented degrees and certificate programs such as dental hygiene, nursing, medical assisting, respiratory therapy, and physical therapy.

In addition to the clinical duties of a medical assistant, students will learn how to properly and safely administer injections, prepare samples, explain patient treatment options, and check vitals.  A student enrolled at Concorde Career College in the Medical Assistant major will be prepared for various administrative tasks as well.   Examples include managing patient flow, navigating office admissions, collecting health histories, handling reception duties, and managing various insurance claims.

Acceptance Rate

61.58

Tuition

$15,955 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

41:1

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology was founded in 1969 to meet the ever-expanding career needs for students in and around the Nittany Valley.  The certificate and diploma programs offered at CPI include a range of programs from landscape horticulture and heavy equipment operations to HVAC and medical assisting.  The Medical Assistant diploma program features hands-on learning opportunities plus practical skill application in the trade. Students completing the CPI medical assistant program meet the requirements of the AAMA to sit for the CMA examination.  The college is dedicated to helping students achieve a rewarding medical career and become productive members of our local community.

Acceptance Rate

89.77

Tuition

$15,340 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The International Business College of Indianapolis was founded in 1889 as a for-profit college offering a range of career-focused programs.  Programs you will find at IBC include accounting, dental assisting, computer programming, graphic design, medical administration, legal administration, paralegal, network management, tourism, and vet tech.  With an expected job growth rate of 29% in the next few years, students seeking a career in the healthcare industry are wise to consider the medical assistant vocation.  In addition to classroom lectures and online learning, medial assistants will spend time in a simulated lab on campus before stepping into an approved eight week externship. 

Acceptance Rate

79.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Laurel Business Institute offers qualified students access to a wide array of diploma, certificate, and degree programs.  The range of programs span from entrepreneurship and business administration to cosmetology to clinical medical assistant.  The Clinical Medical Assisting program at LBI provides students with the ability to apply critical thinking, collaboration, and communication with the clinical and administrative duties of a medical assistant. These tasks include clerical and bookkeeping functions, insurance claiming process, diagnostic tests, and routine patient procedures. LBI students completing the program will be prepared to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination and phlebotomy certification.  The combination of both credentials help students expand their skills while improving marketability for prospective employers. 

Acceptance Rate

91.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Located in Garden Grove, California, Concorde Career College - Garden Grove offers a proper learning environment for students to succeed in different fields of the healthcare industry. With career-driven programs like dental hygiene, medical assisting, nursing, physical therapy, and respiratory therapy, students gain diploma and associate degrees in as quick as 8 months.

Aside from the clinical functions of a medical assistant (MA) which include administering injections, preparing samples for testing, explaining treatments, and checking vital signs, students at the Medical Assistant program at Concorde Garden Grove are prepared for typical administrative tasks such as managing patient flow, collecting health histories, handling reception and admissions, and filing insurance claims. Since MAs serve a critical role alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, graduates also apply strong communication skills and advanced organizational skills in their careers as outlined in the program’s curriculum. Read more about the program at concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

95.22

Tuition

$31,866 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

27:1

Midwest Institute is a career-oriented, accredited school located in Fenton and Earth City.  They provide hands-on training in a variety of medical, dental, and veterinary programs.  The MI faculty, student success centers, and learning laboratories provide students with the tools and technology to aptly prepare them for a meaningful career in the healthcare industry.

Students of the Medical Assisting program at Midwest Institute are eligible to take the 32 week program in class or online.  The hybrid medical assisting program offers student the best of classroom learning with online learning flexibility.   Students will be able to posture themselves for a career in healthcare to perform the basic clinical and administrative duties of a medical assistant in a formal learning environment.  Midwest Institute is accredited by ABHES and students are encouraged to sit for the CMA examination to earn an RMA credential. 

Acceptance Rate

76.47

Tuition

$14,680 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Located in San Diego, California, Concorde Career College - San Diego offers career-centered healthcare programs in different areas of dental assisting, dental hygiene, medical assisting, nursing, and many more. The college has several diploma and associate degree programs to help students start a healthcare career.

At Concorde San Diego, the Medical Assistant (MA) degree is suited for students interested in being an MA in a physician’s office, hospital, and other healthcare facilities.  Students are taught the basics of the required clinical and administrative tasks of an MA such as taking patient’s medical histories and vital signs and procedure preparation. To find more program information, visit concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

90.96

Tuition

$35,469 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

25:1

The International Business College of Richmond is a for-profit school that was founded in 1889.  The career-focused programs available at IBC include dental assisting, accounting, computer programming, legal administration, graphic design, medical administration, tourism, paralegal, vet tech, and network management.  The BLS forecasts a robust 29% job growth rate for medical assistants in the coming years.  This encouraging information from the government may motivate students to enroll in an accredited medical assistant program sooner than later.  

Acceptance Rate

73.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

Concorde Career College – San Bernardino in California offers career-focused healthcare programs like dental hygiene, massage therapy, medical assisting, radiologic technology, surgical technology, and many more. Upon completion of the program which can be as little as 8 months, students receive an associate degree and diploma programs that can jumpstart their career in their chosen field.

At Concorde San Bernardino, the Medical Assistant program leads to either a diploma or an associate degree which are both great starts to pursuing a career as a medical assistant.  The associate degree includes courses in mathematics, communications, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, sciences, and humanities which can be accomplished within 18 months compared to 8 months in the diploma program. Generally, both programs aim to equip students with sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical experiences in the areas of anatomy, physiology, the body systems, medical terminology, medical front office procedures, and laboratory diagnostic procedures.

Acceptance Rate

92.57

Tuition

$16,010 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

29:1

Founded in 1824 as a stand-alone private university, Thomas Jefferson University has a rich tradition of academic excellence around Philiadelphia.  The school combined with Philadelphia University in 2017 and offers students an array of high-quality degree programs from arts to technical trades.   The medical assisting and medical lab science program is offered as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program.  The 8 different degree types range from a one year stand-alone master’s degree to a 3/2 BS/MS dual degree.  Related programs in biotech and cell biology are linked to certificate programs for mid-career professionals looking to move up in their current jobs.  Learn more about the medical and healthcare programs from the Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College. 

Acceptance Rate

65.88

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Laurel Technical Institute provides academic excellence and ample choices for students to consider that range from degree programs to diplomas.  The span of academic programs include cosmetology and business administration to entrepreneurship and clinical medical assistant.  Clinical Medical Assistant pathway at Laurel Technical  provides challenging, engaging academics to deftly apply collaboration, critical thinking, and a high level of communication to master the necessary components of the responsibilities of a medical assistant.  Professional duties include, insurance claims, bookkeeping, diagnostic testing, clerical duties, routine patient procedures, and checking vitals.  Laurel Tech students that complete the CMA program can take the Certified Medical Assistant exam.  The school encourages students to also take the phlebotomy certification to enhance career opportunities.   

Acceptance Rate

91.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Concorde Career College - Portland has been offering career-driven healthcare programs in the area of Portland, Oregon for over 50 years. The diploma and associate degrees in the campus help students build their careers in different areas such as practical nursing, dental assisting, medical assisting, and polysomnographic technology.

The 9-month Medical Assistant certifiate at Concorde Portland is the only medical assistant program in the Concorde Career College system accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The program focuses on training students with basic skills and practical experiences to effectively function as a medical assistant (MA). Students are immersed with real-world coursework and externships that train them with both clinical and administrative functions of an MA. Some of these functions include patient intake processing, checking vital signs, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, and assisting physicians with examinations and treatments.

Acceptance Rate

96.23

Tuition

$16,516 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

34:1

Located in the state of California, Concorde Career College - North Hollywood trains students for an in-demand career in the healthcare industry. For over 60 years, the college has been offering comprehensive diploma and associate degrees in the field of nursing, dental assisting, surgical technology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and many more.

From tasks such as admissions work and preparing patients for examinations to operating diagnostic equipment and performing diagnostic procedures, students of the Medical Assistant program at Concorde North Hollywood are taught the basic knowledge and skills required to effectively function as a medical assistant. In as little as 9 months, students can acquire a diploma and start their career in this fast-growing field of the healthcare industry. More details can be seen at concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

91.39

Tuition

$32,883 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

With career-driven healthcare programs, Concorde Career College - San Antonio helps students in building a rewarding career in the fields of dental assisting, dental hygiene, medical assisting, physical therapist assisting, surgical technology, and many more. The campus boasts its laboratories, Learning Resource Center, as well as student and career services that aid students in the learning process.

Both the clinical and administrative roles of medical assistants (MA) in different healthcare facilities are covered in Concorde San Antonio’s Medical Assistant course. Some of the tasks required to become a successful MA include patient intake processing, performing first aid and CPR, preparing patients for procedures, and assisting physicians with examinations and treatments. With hands-on classes and externships, the program awards diploma to students in as early as 9 months. Explore the program at concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

93.86

Tuition

$17,701 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

45:1

Concorde Career College - Dallas, a branch of the Concorde campus at Aurora, Colorado, is one of the leading healthcare academic institutions in Texas. The campus offers career-focused healthcare programs that lead to diploma and associate degrees. Some of the programs on this campus are dental hygiene, medical assisting, vocational nursing, and respiratory therapy.

The Medical Assistant degree at Concorde Dallas emphasizes real-world coursework and practical experiences in both clinical and administrative functions of medical assistants in clinics, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities. From day one until graduation, the program trains students comprehensively from patient intake processing which includes taking patient histories and vital signs, to assisting physicians with examinations and procedures. Inquire about the program at concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

88.09

Tuition

$16,875 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

44:1

Concorde Career Institute - Jacksonville has been training healthcare professionals in several career-focused programs for the past 50 years. Its campus located in Jacksonville, Florida offers diverse diploma and associate degree programs such as nursing, dental assistant, medical office administration, physical therapist assistant, surgical technology, and many more.

The Medical Assistant program at Concorde Jacksonville prepares students with practical training and hands-on classes and externships related to both clinical and administrative functions. These include scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, and infection control. Graduates learn how to interact with patients to take medical histories and vital signs as well as prepare them and explain the procedures to be done during their visit. The program can be completed as early as 9 months. For more information, go to concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

76.61

Tuition

$50,048 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

38:1

Established in 1968, Bidwell Training Center is a career training center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that aims to provide vocational training and employment opportunities to local residents. The center continues to fulfill its mission of bridging the gap between the unemployed and the needs of the workforce.

The 7-month Professional Medical Assistant at Bidwell equips students with the skills and experience needed to be a qualified healthcare professional. Students will learn to manage electronic health records and document health care services on top of basic clinical duties. Career-focused courses are also included in the curriculum such as Medical Terminology, Clinical Procedures, Laboratory Techniques, Coding, Communication Skills, Electronic Health Records, and Fundamentals of Medical Assisting. Get more information at bidwelltraining.edu.

Acceptance Rate

88.52

Tuition

$12,000 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

Misericordia University is located in Dallas, PA and is a private Catholic university espousing a liberal arts education.  The school was founded in 1924 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy as College Misericordia. Today, the university offers nearly sixty academic programs in a focused, student-centered environment within a robust learning community.  The College of Health and Sciences at Misericordia University offers a number of quality degree and certificate programs for qualified students.  The PA and medical assisting programs aim to teach students both the administrative and clinical skills essential to the role of an MA. Some of these skills include measuring vital signs, updating medical charts, using electronic health records software, assisting in diagnostic procedures, and phlebotomy techniques.

Acceptance Rate

85.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

St. Louis College of Health Careers (SLCHC) located in Fenton, Missouri, is one of the leading academic institutions in the country offering programs in the field of healthcare. Since 1981, the college has been developing relevant and accredited programs to produce valuable students equipped for the modern healthcare fields. To make the programs more accessible, financial aid resources and flexible scheduling options are provided and implemented by the school.

SLCHC offers a Medical Assistant diploma and a Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree for students interested to work in various healthcare institutions as a medical assistant (MA). Students in the diploma program receive training in different basic clinical skills such as obtaining vital signs, documenting patient history, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and utilizing electronic medical records. Similar to the diploma program, the associate degree also includes training in the skills mentioned, however, a deeper understanding of a broad theoretical background in healthcare is also incorporated in the program. More information is available at slchc.edu.

Acceptance Rate

100

Tuition

$30,466 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

30:1

Located in several convenient locations across the country, Concorde Career College state-of-the-art campus locations where students can access student services, hands-on laboratories, and other resources. The college provides career-driven college programs in different healthcare areas such as dental assisting, medical assisting, neurodiagnostic technology, and vocational nursing.  The 9-month Medical Assistant program at Concorde Career College awards diplomas to students who finish the curriculum involving scheduling and receiving patients, preparing and maintaining medical records, and infection control as part of the role of medical assistants. Through hands-on classes and externships, students are trained to take patient’s medical histories and vital signs, and explain procedures for which they will undergo during their visit.

Acceptance Rate

64.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Ohio university is a public research college located in Athens.  The university was chartered in 1787 as the first in Ohio and the first by an Act of Congress.  The robust academic programs span technical trades to sciences to medical degrees.  The medical education programs clinical, premed, and residency programs for a variety of degree programs at both graduate and undergraduate levels.  Aspiring medical assistants will find Ohio University offers extensive and comprehensive training in body structure and the functions of the body systems.  In addition, students will learn basic medical skills such as specimen collection, infection control, injections, sterilization, and requisite administrative skills.  The typical medical duties include patient scheduling, obtaining  patient records, insurance billing, filing, and CMS software training. 

Acceptance Rate

82.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Concorde Career Institute - Orlando is a branch of Concorde Career Institute - Jacksonville that provides quality accelerated healthcare training in different fields such as dental assisting, pharmacy technician, and medical assisting. The school offers diploma and degree programs to give students the knowledge and skills needed to become successful professionals in their chosen careers.

With real-world coursework, comprehensive training, and externships, the Medical Assistant degree at Concorde Orlando immerses students in the roles of medical assistants in a medical work environment. These include both clinical and administrative functions in clinics, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities. Some of the skills needed to master by the students are taking medical histories and vital signs, preparing patients for procedures while explaining the specifics of those procedures. More information is available at concorde.edu.

Acceptance Rate

84.8

Tuition

$17,005 / year

Student to Faculty Ratio

45:1

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical Assistants work with physicians to ensure the clinic or medical office functions at an optimal level. MAs will be called upon to check-in a patient, collect information, document the incident, effectively communicate next steps, provide emotional comfort, and get them settled into their room or bed. The Medical Assistant may then help to draw blood, provide stitches, arrange lab tests, clean infected areas, document the procedures, and manage the medical insurance billing in conjunction with the attending physician. The MA has evolved into a very exciting profession in part due to the diversity of care provided coupled with real-time problem solving opportunities. In any given week, the variation in care provided to patients can vary widely keeping the job interesting and engaging.

How to Become a Medical Assistant?

In order to become a medical assistant, you will need to successfully take and pass one of four industry certification exams. Students who enroll in a medical assistant program at a college or university will find the coursework challenging and comprehensive. To find the best college for you, simply request information from a number of the programs below and compare their educational offerings to your personal priority list. A list of questions that coalesce into your priority list can be found on our Complete Guide to the College Admission Process here.

Currently, there are no formal education requirements to proceed in the field of medical assisting; however, you will quickly find that employers will have specific requirements that need to be achieved. An associate degree in medical assisting will take around 2 years to complete for full-time students as core classes are interspersed with general education courses. Liberal arts classes such as English composition, philosophy, and psychology help student think differently about the world around them and are often more well-rounded team players. On the other hand, certificate programs are generally structed to last about a year with focus on core programs.

On the whole, hiring managers and physicians favor students who have earned a 2-year degree as it provides a more comprehensive education with a variety of subjects versus a narrow swath of specialty training. Employers prefer candidates with a broad educational background as they may encounter a variety of questions and issues requiring a synthesis of information and experience to solve.

Online Medical Assistant Degree Programs

Curriculum for an online Medical Assistant will vary from school to school depending on the curricular design and degree types selected. As an example, you may enroll in a certification program strictly focused on the core curriculum of an MA while another student will see different classes in an associates degree track. For academic purposes, we have culled a list of common classes you will experience when enrolled in an online medical assistant associates degree program:

Popular Job Titles for a Medical Assistant

A Medical Assistant can work in a variety of settings depending on the constructs of the clinical office which directly affects the breadth of the job requirements. As such, there will be some variation in job titles across the country depending on roles, responsibilities, and employer preference. The most common job titles for a medical assistant we have found include:

  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Podiatric Medical Assistant
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • Clinical Assistant
  • Doctor's Assistant
  • Medical Assistant (MA)
  • Chiropractor Assistant
  • Medical Office Assistant
  • Ophthalmic Technician
  • Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
  • Administrative Medical Assistant
  • Optometric Assistant
  • Optometric Technician
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

What are the Job Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant?

The majority of Medical Assistants are trained to perform a number of jobs day over day within a clinic. A medical assistant is effectively a support service for a physician and must be adept at performing a number of duties to keep the office running smoothly every day. The U.S. Department of Labor recently conducted a study to collect information about the job responsibilities of a medical assistant. The most commonly cited jobs of a medical assistant were found to be the following:

  • Answering the phone and greeting patients
  • Managing billing & bookkeeping activities
  • Documenting patient medical history
  • Preparing patients for medical procedures and examinations
  • Helping attending physicians with medical examinations
  • Preparing medications as directed by physicians
  • Coordinating prescription refills with physician authorization
  • Arranging for laboratory tests and patient hospital transfers
  • Collecting and preparing lab specimens
  • Scheduling medical exams and appointments
  • Maintaining medical records
  • Coding insurance documents
  • Drawing blood samples
  • Removing stitches and changing medical dressings

 

Top 4 Certifications for a Medical Assistant

There are 4 major certifications for a Medical Assistant that are recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The four certifications include the following list in no particular order of importance:

  1. NCMA- National Certified Medical Assistant administered by the National Center for Competency Testing
  2. CMAC - Clinical Medical Assistant Certification administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants
  3. CCMA- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant administered by the National Healthcareer Association
  4. RMA- Registered Medical Assistant administered by American Medical Technologists

It is important to reach out to the medical board in your state of residence to discuss the best certification options for you as certification will vary from state to state.

Educational Requirements in Medical Assisting

Medical assistant programs provide the knowledge necessary to operate and finish duties within a medical environment such as a clinic or a hospital. Medical assistant programs will offer an associate's degree or certificate depending on the program and typically take between one to two years to complete based on the type of program one is enrolled in. The primary difference between the two is that a certification program offers only classes that are directly related to medical assistance whereas an associate's degree will also have general education courses necessary to earn a degree and the credits earned from which may also be used when pursuing higher level education.

An education in medical assisting may be obtained through private career colleges, specialized schools or community and junior colleges. Such schools typically provide the program and curriculum necessary to successfully enter the field of medical assistance. Students interested in entering the field may find that community and junior colleges generally have lower cost educations versus the accelerated curriculum of a private career college or specialized school.

Courses one may encounter in a medical assistant program include:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
  • First Aid
  • Medical Laws and Ethics
  • Pharmacology
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Information and Medical Specializations

Though medical assistants do not need a post-secondary education to find work, it has become increasingly difficult to do so. Potential employers are quickly turning toward trained professionals to bring into the work place and it is prudent to consider at least a certificate program if one plans to enter the field. Medical assistants will help organize, file, and diagnose patients, if one is licensed to do so, among other tasks. Medical assistants working in a clinical setting may be required to obtain a license depending on state law.

Medical assistants primarily work in clinics and hospitals, though they may be found in smaller practices to assist physicians. The work done by a medical assistant assists in the day to day care of patients as well as administrative tasks as determined by the employer. Medical assistant will work under the supervision of nurses and physicians, as well as medical administrators.

Medical assistants may also pursue specializations, particularly in larger hospitals that require specific skills sets for specific areas of medicine. Such medical assistants may experience an increase in pay and responsibilities as specialization requires the development of new skills and additional knowledge. Clinical, pediatric, and administrative specializations are just some of the many fields a medical assistant may enter. Individuals pursuing long term careers will most likely cover several specializations, as well as expanding their overall skill set in order to provide as many services as possible for their patients and employers.

What Job Settings Exist for a Medical Assistant?

The job settings for a medical assistant can vary from employer to employer and diverge from one region of the country to the next. Generally, Medical Assistants can work in a hospital, doctors office, outpatient clinic, healthcare facility, or physicians office. It is important to understand that over 50% of medical assistants work in a physicians office.

Medical Assistants will typically work full time and mirror the hours of the clinic or medical office. The exception to this rule of thumb is the on-call work environment of an ambulatory medical assistant who works on-demand during a designated shift. Hiring managers and physicians look for articulate, well educated, medical assistants with exceptional communication skills and compassion for others.

Job Growth, Salary and Career Outlook for MA's

Work for medical assistants is expected to grow rapidly over the coming years as a large portion of the population grows older. Demand for medical care will increase, as will the need for medical assistants. The overall demand over the next decade is expected to increase 31%. The increase in the number of health center, hospitals, care facilities, clinics and other service providers will create a number of new positions resulting in more opportunities to go along with opening in previously existing positions due to retirement or turnover.

The job outlook for Medical Assistants is exceptionally bright as this sector is set to grow 23% through 2024 which is over 3 times the national composite rate for all occupations during this same time frame. The median annual income for a Medical Assistant is $31,540 with a projected 262,100 job openings during this reporting period. The rapid growth is due, in part, to an aging population of baby-boomers who need of medical care coupled with a robust healthcare system. It stands to reason more and more clinics and medical offices will continue opening for the foreseeable future to help satisfy a growing demand over the coming decade.

States with the Highest Employment for Medical Assistants

  • California 83,230
  • Texas 57,960
  • Florida 50,550
  • Pennsylvania 26,760
  • New York 23,870

Highest Paying States for a Medical Assistant

  1. Alaska $41,340
  2. District of Columbia $39,500
  3. Massachusetts $38,990
  4. Washington $38,020
  5. Minnesota $37,560

Largest Employers of Medical Assistants

  • Physicians Offices 361,890
  • Medical & Surgical Hospitals 90,730
  • Health Practitioners 54,930
  • Outpatient Care Facilities 53,760
  • Assisted Living Facilities 9,760

Those interested in becoming a medical assistant may also wish to consider a career as aphysical therapist assistant, pharmacy technician, oroccupational therapist assistant. For additional information about the Medical Assistant profession, please visit our blog for a career overview and important details about the profession.

Featured Rankings

Find Your College Match

Sort By
PHP Code Snippets Powered By : XYZScripts.com