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Medical assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,690median pay per year, or $21.97 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $36,050lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,47025th percentile
  3. $45,690median
  4. $49,18075th percentile
  5. $59,310top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[7]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Medical assistants earned a median of $45,690 a year in May 2025, a bit below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. The usual way in is a postsecondary certificate program, and employment is projected to grow far faster than average[3][4][5][6].

Job growth, 2025–35
+12.9%[5]
Openings per year
109,700[8]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[3]

How much do medical assistants make?

The median pay for medical assistants was $45,690 a year, or $21.97 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was slightly higher at $46,120 a year, or $22.17 an hour[9].

For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980[2]. So a typical medical assistant earns less than the typical US worker[1][2].

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[7][10] $36,050 $17.33
25th[7][10] $38,470 $18.50
Median[1] $45,690 $21.97
75th[7][10] $49,180 $23.65
90th[7][10] $59,310 $28.52

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,050, and the top 10% earned more than $59,310[7]. These are percentile boundaries. BLS does not publish a starting salary[11]. The figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, some bonuses and the value of benefits such as health insurance[12].

Pay by state and city

Washington has the highest state median at $59,290, followed by Alaska ($52,560), the District of Columbia ($51,050), Minnesota ($50,480) and Oregon ($50,410)[13]. Mississippi has the lowest at $35,360[13].

Every metro area on the top-pay list is in California or Washington[14]. Vallejo, CA leads at $77,410, followed by Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ($64,820) and Napa, CA ($62,050)[14].

California has by far the most jobs at 117,060[15]. Texas is second with 75,340, then Florida with 66,110, New York with 40,710 and Ohio with 28,950[15]. More jobs does not always mean more pay. Texas has the second-largest number of jobs but a median of $39,520, below the national median[13][15][1]. The biggest city job markets are New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ with 44,060 jobs and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA with 39,770[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[13]$59,29019,500
Alaska$52,5602,140
District of Columbia$51,0502,260
Minnesota$50,48010,580
Oregon$50,41011,840
California$49,660117,060
Massachusetts$49,46014,880
Wisconsin$48,68013,810
Hawaii$48,4103,890
Colorado$48,40013,160
New Hampshire$48,0203,000
New York$48,00040,710
Maine$47,5804,480
Connecticut$47,43010,250
Nebraska$47,3702,380
Vermont$47,2501,140
New Jersey$47,21020,330
Rhode Island$47,1903,210
Montana$46,8202,460
Maryland$46,41016,390
Illinois$46,09020,260
North Dakota$45,980600
Arizona$45,94021,460
Iowa$45,4805,990
Utah$45,3609,990
Nevada$45,2007,760
North Carolina$45,14023,650
Indiana$45,11019,630
Virginia$44,74016,650
Idaho$44,7005,250
Delaware$44,4902,880
Pennsylvania$43,92023,050
Florida$43,68066,110
Ohio$42,81028,950
South Dakota$41,8701,340
Georgia$41,60028,780
South Carolina$41,16012,110
Wyoming$40,9201,040
Missouri$40,44013,050
Michigan$39,87027,810
Tennessee$39,57019,180
Texas$39,52075,340
Kansas$39,5105,510
Kentucky$39,27013,440
New Mexico$39,2305,400
Oklahoma$38,75010,510
Arkansas$37,7605,150
West Virginia$37,1804,540
Louisiana$36,32012,310
Alabama$36,10013,300
Mississippi$35,3603,340

How to become a medical assistant

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience needed[3]. Here is the usual path.

1) In high school, take science classes like biology and chemistry[17]. 2) Finish a medical assistant program[3][18]. You can earn a certificate or an associate's degree at a community college, vocational or technical school, or university[18]. Expect about 1 or 2 years[18]. Classes cover subjects such as medical terminology, anatomy and pharmacology, plus supervised practice like an internship or practicum[18]. 3) Check your state's rules[19]. Some states ask medical assistants to graduate from an accredited program, hold a license or certification, or meet other conditions[19]. 4) Think about certification[20]. Most states do not require it, but employers may prefer or even require it, and several organizations offer it[20]. Some employers also ask for Basic Life Support (BLS) certification[20].

There is a second route. Some people are hired with just a high school diploma and pick up the skills at work, either through training on the job or an apprenticeship[4][21]. A physician or an experienced medical assistant teaches skills such as taking vital signs and working with patients, and this training can last several months depending on the facility[21]. Employers often prefer candidates with more schooling, though[17].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, which means a medium amount of preparation[22]. BLS points to a few personal strengths that help: reading medical charts, explaining things clearly to patients, empathy for people who are sick or in pain, precision with vital signs and records, and courtesy with patients and coworkers[23][24][25][26][27].

What medical assistants do

Medical assistants handle both office work and clinical tasks under a physician's direction[28]. On the office side that can mean booking appointments, keeping medical records, and billing and coding for insurance[28]. Common tasks listed by O*NET include[29]:

Job titles reported to O*NET include Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Ophthalmic Assistant and Chiropractor Assistant[30].

Where they work

Offices of physicians are the biggest employer, with 56% of medical assistants in 2025[31]. The daily routine depends on the role. Some assistants are on their feet much of the day moving between patients, while others mostly sit at a computer doing administrative work[32].

BLS says most medical assistants work full time[33]. In facilities that stay open day and night, some work evenings, weekends or holidays[33]. Self-employment is rare, at 0.2% of workers in 2025[34].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of medical assistant jobs to rise by 12.9% between 2025 and 2035, taking the total from roughly 833,900 to 941,500[5]. That is far faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[6].

About 109,700 openings are expected each year on average[8]. That count includes positions that open when workers retire or change careers, not just new jobs[8]. Each year, an estimated 4.2% of workers leave the workforce and 6.9% switch to another line of work[35].

A note on job counts. The projection counts about 833,900 jobs in 2025, including self-employed workers[5]. The OEWS wage survey counts about 817,870 wage and salary jobs[36]. The two figures come from different BLS programs, so they do not match.

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job you can enter fairly quickly, through a program of about 1 or 2 years or through on-the-job training[18][21]. Demand looks strong, with growth projected at 12.9% against 3.5% for all occupations[5][6]. Pay is modest, since the median of $45,690 is below the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][2]. Location matters a lot, with state medians from $35,360 in Mississippi to $59,290 in Washington[13]. It may suit someone who wants an entry path into patient care that typically calls for a certificate rather than a degree, and who is comfortable mixing clinical and office tasks[3][4][28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a medical assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $21.97 in May 2025[1]. The middle half of workers earned between $18.50 and $23.65 an hour[10].
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
Certificate and associate's degree programs take about 1 or 2 years[18]. People hired with a high school diploma may instead train on the job for several months, depending on the facility[21].
Do you need to be certified to work as a medical assistant?
Most states do not require it, but employers may prefer or require certification[20]. Some states have their own rules, such as graduating from an accredited program or being licensed or certified[19].
Is medical assistant a job in demand?
Yes, by BLS projections. Jobs are expected to rise 12.9% between 2025 and 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 109,700 openings a year[5][6][8].
What is the highest paying state for medical assistants?
Washington, with a median of $59,290 a year in May 2025[13]. The highest paying metro area was Vallejo, CA at $77,410[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Medical Assistants in the US was $45,690 per year and $21.97 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Medical Assistants: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Medical Assistants is projected to grow 12.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 833,900 to 941,500 jobs (a change of +107,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Medical Assistants: 10th percentile $36,050, 25th percentile $38,470, 75th percentile $49,180, 90th percentile $59,310. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS Employment Projections: about 109,700 openings for Medical Assistants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Medical Assistants was $46,120 per year and $22.17 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Medical Assistants: 10th percentile $17.33, 25th percentile $18.50, 75th percentile $23.65, 90th percentile $28.52. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Medical Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Medical Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): Vallejo, CA $77,410; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $64,820; Napa, CA $62,050; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $61,970; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $61,940; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $61,870; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $61,500; Longview-Kelso, WA $61,480. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Medical Assistants jobs: California 117,060; Texas 75,340; Florida 66,110; New York 40,710; Ohio 28,950. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Medical Assistants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 44,060 (median $48,370); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 39,770 (median $47,760); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 20,560 (median $43,100); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 18,670 (median $44,930); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 18,280 (median $42,110); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 16,910 (median $46,060). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 31-9092.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Medical Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Medical Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 31-9092.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Chiropractor Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Doctor's Assistant, Health Assistant, Ophthalmic Assistant, Ophthalmological Assistant, Optometric Assistant. O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of medical assistants in 2025: Offices of physicians 56%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Medical Assistants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Medical Assistants: 4.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 817,870 people were employed as Medical Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.