Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing entry-level healthcare careers. Here’s what MAs actually earn, where pay is highest, and how to move up.
Medical Assistant Salary by Setting
| Setting | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Surgical Center | $46,000 | $22 | Procedural experience |
| Specialty Physician Office | $44,000 | $21 | Dermatology, ortho, cardiology |
| Hospital Outpatient | $43,000 | $21 | Better benefits than private |
| Urgent Care | $42,000 | $20 | Fast-paced, extended hours |
| General/Family Practice | $40,000 | $19 | Most common MA employer |
| Pediatrics Office | $39,000 | $19 | Rewarding but lower pay |
| Community Health Center (FQHC) | $38,000 | $18 | Government benefits, loan help |
| Telehealth Support | $40,000 | $19 | Growing — remote triage roles |
Medical Assistant Salary by State
| Rank | State | Mean Salary | Entry-Level | CoL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $52,000 | $42,000 | $47,300 |
| 2 | Alaska | $51,000 | $40,000 | $45,300 |
| 3 | California | $50,000 | $40,000 | $36,000 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $49,000 | $39,000 | $35,300 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $48,000 | $38,000 | $40,300 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $47,000 | $38,000 | $48,000 |
| 7 | Oregon | $47,000 | $37,000 | $41,600 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $46,000 | $37,000 | $39,800 |
| 9 | Colorado | $46,000 | $36,000 | $43,400 |
| 10 | New York | $45,000 | $36,000 | $36,600 |
| — | National | $42,000 | $33,000 | — |
| 46 | Arkansas | $35,000 | $28,000 | $39,500 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $34,000 | $27,000 | $36,200 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $34,000 | $27,000 | $40,000 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $33,000 | $26,000 | $37,300 |
| 50 | Alabama | $33,000 | $26,000 | $35,900 |
Certified vs. Uncertified MA Pay
| Credential | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Issued By |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) | $44,000 | $21 | AAMA |
| RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) | $43,000 | $21 | AMT |
| CCMA (Clinical Certified MA) | $43,000 | $21 | NHA |
| NCMA (National Certified MA) | $42,000 | $20 | NCCT |
| Uncertified MA | $39,000 | $19 | — |
Medical Assistant Salary by Specialty Office
| Specialty | Median MA Salary | Why It Pays More |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatology | $46,000 | Procedures (biopsies, cosmetic) |
| Orthopedics | $45,000 | Casting, imaging, injections |
| Ophthalmology/Optometry | $44,000 | Specialized equipment and testing |
| Cardiology | $44,000 | EKGs, stress tests, monitoring |
| Podiatry | $43,000 | Specialized procedures |
| OB/GYN | $42,000 | Clinical skills demand |
| Internal Medicine | $41,000 | Standard clinical duties |
| Family Medicine | $40,000 | High volume, general duties |
| Pediatrics | $39,000 | Lower reimbursement rates |
Medical Assistant Career Path
| Role | Salary Range | Education/Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (entry) | $33,000-$40,000 | Certificate (9-12 months) |
| Certified MA | $38,000-$46,000 | CMA/RMA certification |
| Lead/Senior MA | $42,000-$50,000 | 3-5 years experience |
| MA Supervisor/Office Manager | $48,000-$62,000 | 5+ years + leadership |
| Clinical Coordinator | $50,000-$65,000 | Bachelor’s preferred |
| → RN (with further education) | $65,000-$90,000 | ADN/BSN (2-4 years) |
| → PA (with further education) | $105,000-$150,000 | Master’s (2-3 years) |
Medical assisting is often a stepping stone — many MAs use it to gain clinical hours for nursing or PA school.
How to Maximize Medical Assistant Salary
| Strategy | Potential Increase |
|---|---|
| Get CMA or RMA certification | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Work in a specialty office | +$2,000-$6,000 |
| Move to a high-paying state/metro | +$5,000-$15,000 |
| Gain phlebotomy certification | +$1,000-$3,000 |
| Learn EHR systems (Epic, Cerner) | More marketable |
| Take on lead/supervisory duties | +$4,000-$8,000 |
| Work in outpatient surgery centers | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Cross-train in radiology (limited X-ray) | +$2,000-$4,000 |
Medical Assistant Income vs. Education Cost
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Certificate program cost | $5,000-$15,000 |
| Associate degree cost | $10,000-$25,000 |
| Average student debt | $8,000-$18,000 |
| Starting salary | $33,000-$40,000 |
| Debt-to-income ratio | 0.2-0.5x |
| Time to pay off | 1-3 years |
Extremely low education cost relative to earning potential — one of the fastest paths into healthcare.
Job Market & Outlook
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2024-2034) | +15% (much faster than average) |
| Positions added annually | ~118,000 |
| Total employed | ~790,000 |
| Demand trend | Increasing (aging population, expanded care) |
| Turnover rate | High (many advance to other roles) |
| Remote opportunities | Limited (mostly in-person) |
| Telehealth support roles | Growing |
Work-Life Balance
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical schedule | M-F, 40 hours |
| Weekend work | Rare (urgent care may require) |
| On-call | Never |
| Physical demands | Moderate (standing, walking, assisting patients) |
| Emotional demands | Moderate (patient interactions) |
| Overtime | Rare in most settings |
| Schedule flexibility | Moderate |
Related: Average Nurse Salary | Dental Hygienist Salary | Physician Assistant Salary