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.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for medical assistants, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 25th | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 50th (median) | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| 75th | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| 90th | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Average (mean) | $46,120 | $22.17 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Medical Assistants (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Medical Assistant Salary by Setting
| Setting | Notes |
|---|---|
| Outpatient Surgical Center | Procedural experience |
| Specialty Physician Office | Dermatology, ortho, cardiology |
| Hospital Outpatient | Better benefits than private |
| Urgent Care | Fast-paced, extended hours |
| General/Family Practice | Most common MA employer |
| Pediatrics Office | Rewarding but lower pay |
| Community Health Center (FQHC) | Government benefits, loan help |
| Telehealth Support | Growing — remote triage roles |
Medical Assistant Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $58,590 | $46,540 | $59,290 |
| 2 | Alaska | $56,630 | $46,060 | $52,560 |
| 3 | California | $55,100 | $39,290 | $49,660 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $54,890 | $39,620 | $51,050 |
| 5 | Oregon | $52,400 | $43,760 | $50,410 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $51,850 | $43,280 | $49,460 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $51,660 | $40,110 | $50,480 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $49,730 | $38,580 | $48,410 |
| 9 | Colorado | $49,490 | $39,130 | $48,400 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $49,390 | $39,640 | $48,020 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $49,280 | $39,480 | $48,680 |
| 12 | Maine | $49,000 | $40,220 | $47,580 |
| 13 | New York | $48,750 | $37,280 | $48,000 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $48,610 | $38,480 | $47,430 |
| 15 | Vermont | $48,300 | $40,570 | $47,250 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $48,040 | $37,940 | $47,370 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $47,550 | $39,280 | $47,190 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $47,400 | $37,010 | $47,210 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $46,870 | $37,650 | $45,980 |
| 20 | Montana | $46,570 | $38,670 | $46,820 |
| 21 | Maryland | $46,390 | $36,930 | $46,410 |
| 22 | Arizona | $45,790 | $38,100 | $45,940 |
| 23 | Illinois | $45,770 | $36,400 | $46,090 |
| 24 | Iowa | $44,930 | $36,730 | $45,480 |
| 25 | Utah | $44,760 | $35,890 | $45,360 |
| 26 | Indiana | $44,500 | $37,060 | $45,110 |
| 27 | Delaware | $44,300 | $36,540 | $44,490 |
| 28 | Idaho | $44,240 | $35,500 | $44,700 |
| 29 | Nevada | $44,170 | $37,400 | $45,200 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $44,090 | $36,010 | $45,140 |
| 31 | Virginia | $44,050 | $37,090 | $44,740 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $43,500 | $36,810 | $43,920 |
| 33 | Florida | $43,290 | $35,880 | $43,680 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $42,680 | $31,200 | $40,920 |
| 35 | Ohio | $42,610 | $36,050 | $42,810 |
| 36 | Georgia | $42,590 | $34,270 | $41,600 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $42,340 | $34,730 | $41,160 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $42,170 | $35,980 | $41,870 |
| 39 | Missouri | $42,030 | $35,810 | $40,440 |
| 40 | Michigan | $41,550 | $35,000 | $39,870 |
| 41 | Kansas | $41,490 | $35,140 | $39,510 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $41,490 | $34,600 | $39,230 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $41,480 | $34,840 | $39,570 |
| 44 | Texas | $41,240 | $31,200 | $39,520 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $40,940 | $32,950 | $39,270 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $40,370 | $31,880 | $38,750 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $38,930 | $30,840 | $37,760 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $38,090 | $30,890 | $37,180 |
| 49 | Alabama | $36,770 | $29,630 | $36,100 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $36,240 | $29,210 | $35,360 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $36,180 | $28,970 | $36,320 |
| — | National | $46,120 | $36,050 | $45,690 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Medical Assistants (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
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 (2025-2035) | 13% |
| 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
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Is It a Good Career?
Good fit for
- Healthcare career explorers — Test the field before RN commitment.
- Those with family obligations — Regular daytime hours.
- Career changers needing fast entry — Working in under a year.
- Those who enjoy patient interaction — People-focused work.
- Stepping-stone seekers — Clear path to LPN/RN.
- Those wanting clinical + admin mix — Varied daily work.
- Budget-conscious students — Low training investment.
Poor fit for
- Those wanting high earning potential — Ceiling is low.
- Blood/needle phobic — Daily exposure.
- Those wanting autonomy — Always work under supervision.
- High-stress intolerant — Fast-paced, emotional work.
- Career destination seekers — Best as stepping stone.
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