July 3, 2025
Medical Assistant Salary Guide 2024

How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make?

There are many people who seem made to work in healthcare. Some spend decades adding to their education to become specialized physicians, advanced practice nurses, or pursue other high-level healthcare careers. 

If you have a passion for medicine but don’t have the time or resources to invest, or want to gain clinical hours for a nursing or physician assistant program, then a career as a Medical Assistant may be right for you!

One major factor people need to consider when thinking about becoming a medical assistant is how much you can make in this career. To help you understand your earning potential, we’ve put together this Medical Assistant salary guide.

We Found The Following Schools with Online Medical Assistant Programs

Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org

As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis. 

✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.

✔ Transparent, trusted salary data sources from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), Payscale, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor. Learn more about our data sources.

✔ Consistent article updates to ensure they are as relevant and accurate as possible, utilizing the latest data and information when it becomes available.

Part One What is a Medical Assistant? 

The Medical Assistant role consists of patient care duties such as taking and recording vital signs and other medical data, as well as front- and back-office duties like scheduling appointments, billing, and answering patient inquiries.

Medical Assistants have a unique and invaluable role in the operation of the facility where they work. They assume responsibilities for both clinical and administrative duties, splitting their time between direct patient engagement and performing tasks that keep things running smoothly. 

Employment

Becoming a Medical Assistant is also a smart decision in terms of career stability. Medical Assistants earn solid compensation and benefits, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for Medical Assistants is extremely strong. They expect that over the next ten years, there will be an additional 118,000 jobs, representing a 15% increase. 

Medical Assistants usually work in private physicians’ offices but are also employed in nursing home facilities, outpatient clinics, long-term and short-term healthcare centers, and hospitals.

Responsibilities

Though responsibilities vary based on work environment, Medical Assistants frequently interact with:

  • Physicians and other members of the patient care team
  • Office managers
  • Outside vendors, and 
  • Insurance companies 

As a result, they need to be attentive, organized, detail-oriented, and flexible.

Common Medical Assistant tasks include:

  • Collecting patient medical histories 
  • Managing healthcare records
  • Assisting patients with making medical office appointments
  • Billing patients and managing insurance 
  • Collecting and transporting patient specimens
  • Assisting physicians with procedures
  • Preparing and administering immunizations
  • Taking electrocardiograms
  • Transmitting prescription refills
  • Performing an inventory of supplies and routine maintenance of equipment.

Popular Online Healthcare Programs

Sponsored
South University

South University has the focused degree programs, personalized support, and subject matter expertise you need to make your goals a reality. Here you can develop the skills and knowledge to pursue a new career or enhance your existing one while learning from an experienced faculty.

Location
Online
Accreditation
SACSCOC

Enrollment: Nationwide

Ultimate Medical Academy

For the past 26 years, Ultimate Medical Academy, a non-profit, allied health school, has been committed to helping students succeed in their healthcare careers. That’s why they offer students a connected support system from the start of their education to beyond graduation.

Accreditation
ABHES
Location
Online

Enrollment: Nationwide

Rasmussen University

Gain the industry knowledge and transferable skills you need to make a difference in people’s health and well-being at Rasmussen University. Our Health Sciences programs and training help you take the next step in becoming the professional you were meant to be.

Accreditation
CCNE
Location
Online

Enrollment: Nationwide

Purdue Global

Gain the healthcare, IT, and business skills required by employers in today’s technology-driven health care system. Study the medical terminology and reimbursement methodologies you need to know and prepare for industry certification exams.

Accreditation
Multiple
Location
Online

Enrollment: Nationwide

Part Two Average Medical Assistant Salary

The US News and World Report, Medical Assistant is ranked #9 on their list of best jobs without a college degree.

How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?

According to the BLS, the median annual medical assistant salary in May 2024 was $44,200, or $21.25 per hour. However, income can vary based on several factors, such as:

  • The type of healthcare facility where you work
  • The city and state where you live, and
  • Whether you work full-time or part-time

What is the Most You Can Make as a Medical Assistant?

ZipRecruiter reports that Medical Assistants in the US earn annual salaries as high as $51,000. According to the BLS, medical assistants in the following states earn the most:

State Median Annual Wage
Washington $55,120.00
Alaska $51,860.00
Oregon $49,900.00
District of Columbia $49,740.00
Minnesota $49,380.00

>> Show Me Medical Assistant Programs

Part Three What Benefits Do You Get as a Medical Assistant?

According to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), as of 2021, about 96% of Medical Assistants receive some type of benefits package from their employers. Some of the benefits may include:

  • Healthcare 
  • Holiday pay
  • Sick leave
  • A retirement plan
  • Paid vacation time
  • Dental coverage
  • Disability insurance
  • Prescription discounts

Part Four Medical Assistant Salaries by State 

If you are considering a career as a Medical Assistant, it is extremely helpful to know what kind of income you can expect based on where you live. Below, you will find the average salary that Medical Assistants earned in each state.

State Hourly Median Wage Annual Median Wage
Alabama $16.82 $34,980
Alaska $24.93 $51,860
Arizona $21.84 $45,440
Arkansas $17.86 $37,150
California $23.10 $48,050
Connecticut $22.36 $46,500
Delaware $20.11 $41,830
District of Columbia $23.91 $49,740
Florida $19.90 $41,380
Georgia $18.75 $39,000
Guam $13.93 $28,970
Hawaii $23.47 $48,820
Idaho $20.87 $43,400
Illinois $21.87 $45,490
Indiana $20.38 $42,390
Iowa $21.00 $43,670
Kansas $18.79 $39,090
Kentucky $18.63 $38,750
Louisiana $17.24 $35,870
Maine $22.37 $46,540
Maryland $21.67 $45,060
Massachusetts $23.34 $48,540
Michigan $18.67 $38,840
Minnesota $23.74 $49,380
Mississippi $16.73 $34,800
Missouri $18.90 $39,310
Montana $21.85 $45,440
Nebraska $22.16 $46,080
Nevada $20.89 $43,450
New Hampshire $23.10 $48,040
New Jersey $22.25 $46,280
New Mexico $18.75 $39,000
New York $22.14 $46,040
North Carolina $20.48 $42,600
North Dakota $19.73 $41,040
Ohio $19.44 $40,430
Oklahoma $18.07 $37,580
Oregon $23.99 $49,900
Pennsylvania $20.58 $42,810
Puerto Rico $13.57 $28,230
Rhode Island $22.03 $45,820
South Carolina $18.66 $38,820
South Dakota $18.92 $39,350
Tennessee $18.34 $38,150
Texas $18.71 $38,930
Utah $20.69 $43,040
Vermont $21.80 $45,330
Virgin Islands $17.63 $36,660
Virginia $20.34 $42,310
Washington $26.50 $55,120
West Virginia $17.24 $35,860
Wisconsin $22.89 $47,610
Wyoming $18.87 $39,240

Source: BLS, Accessed 3 July 2025

Part Five Highest Paying Cities for Medical Assistants 

Metropolitan areas have a well-earned reputation for paying healthcare professionals a higher income than more rural areas. There are several reasons for this, including increased demand, greater competition for experienced professionals, and higher living costs.

Here are the five highest-paying cities in the US for Medical Assistants, per the BLS.

City Median Annual Wage
Vallejo, CA $75,180.00
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,900.00
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,570.00
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,290.00
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,910.00

Part Six Medical Assistant Salary by Place of Employment 

According to the BLS, the highest-paying industries for medical assistants are as follows:

  • Outpatient care centers - $47,560
  • Hospitals; state, local, and private - $45 930
  • Offices of physicians - $43,880
  • Offices of other health practitioners - $37,510

Part Seven How to Increase Your Salary as a Medical Assistant 

One of the reasons that becoming a Medical Assistant is so popular is the ease of entry into the career. However, once you become a Medical Assistant, there are several great ways to increase your income!

Get Certified

The Certified Medical Assistant, or CMA, credential represents a medical assistant with credentials awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Candidates who pass the CMA certification exam are awarded this credential.

Candidates for the CMA exam must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a recent graduate or a soon-to-be graduate of an accredited medical assisting program
  • A non-recent graduate of a medical assisting program that became accredited within 36 months of the candidate's graduation.

Medical Assistant programs must be accredited by:

Higher Earnings Come With Experience 

Your medical assistant's salary will scale with experience. According to Payscale, medical assistants earn higher salaries the longer they work in the industry:

  • Less than 1 year: $16.34/hr
  • 1 to 2 years: $17.34/hr
  • 3 to 5 years: $18.83/hr
  • 6 to 9 years: $19.86/hr
  • More than 10 years: $20.56/hr

In other words, the longer you work within the profession, the more you will be valued and the higher your salary is likely to rise.

Medical Assistants with ten or more years of experience are often paid as much as 20% more than those who are new to the field and are also eligible for higher-paying management positions. 

Part Eight How to Get Started as a Medical Assistant

Becoming a medical assistant can be a quick way to get into the healthcare field. While 4-week medical assistant programs don't exist, you can get certified in as little as 6 weeks, plus a clinical internship. Whether you take a vocational school or collegiate path, the longest programs don't take more than 2 years, ensuring speedy entry into your new career.

The basic steps to become a medical assistant are:

  • Earn your high school diploma or GED
  • Finding a Medical Assistant program
  • Enroll and complete your program
  • Become credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) 
  • Start job hunting
  • Keep your medical assistant certification current and continue learning on the job!

Part Nine Medical Assistant Resources

Interested in learning more about becoming a Medical Assistant? Check out some of our other articles and guides:

Part Ten Is it Worth it to Become a Medical Assistant?

If you are wondering if going to school to become a medical assistant is worth it, it helps to compare the cost of education with your yearly earning potential. 

The good news is that the cost of school is significantly less than what a medical assistant can earn working full-time in one year. According to the BLS, Medical Assistants earned a median annual salary of $44,200, or $21.25/hr in May 2024.

Cost of Medical Assistant Programs

Vocational Schools

Medical assistant programs at vocational schools are usually about eight to twelve months long. This time frame allows students to start their careers more quickly. Vocational programs typically cost somewhere between $3,000 to $10,000.

Community College

Some community colleges offer an associate's degree in medical assisting. These programs typically take two years to complete and students usually attend full-time for the duration of the program. Most associate degree programs at a community college cost between $4,000 and $15,000 per year to complete.

We Found The Following Schools with Online Medical Assistant Programs

Medical Assistant
Go to the top of page