Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Medical assistants support healthcare delivery and work in a role that blends people-focused interaction with organized, detail-oriented tasks. Nationally, there are about 811,000 medical assistant jobs, reflecting a sizable workforce. The national median annual salary is $44,200, giving a clear benchmark for typical earnings in this field. Projected employment growth of 12.5% and an estimated 112,000 annual openings indicate that many positions are expected to be available in the coming years, including both new roles and turnover. The career draws on a mix of interpersonal, customer service, and speaking and listening skills, along with attention to detail and comfort with computers and information technology. Skills in science, writing and reading, adaptability, project management, and creativity and innovation also contribute to success. With a typical education requirement of a postsecondary nondegree award, medical assisting can be an accessible option for students and career changers seeking a structured healthcare-support role with clear demand signals.
Medical assistants earn a national median annual salary of $44,200, providing a baseline for evaluating pay in different regions. Several states offer higher median salaries, including Washington at $59,290, California at $49,660, Massachusetts at $49,460, Colorado at $48,400, and New York at $48,000. Among metro areas, pay can be even stronger. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $61,940, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows $59,790. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro has a median salary of $50,740, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $48,370, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV reports $46,640. These figures suggest that earnings vary meaningfully by location, with several top metros and states offering salaries above the national median. Job seekers can use these benchmarks to compare offers and understand potential earning trajectories across regions.
Medical assisting shows a solid employment footprint and growth outlook. National employment stands at about 811,000, indicating that this is a large, established occupation. Projected employment growth of 12.5% points to expansion over time. In addition, there are an estimated 112,000 annual openings, combining both new positions and openings created as workers change roles or leave the occupation. This combination of a large current workforce, double-digit projected growth, and significant yearly openings suggests ongoing hiring activity in many areas. Multiple top states and metro areas all share the same 12.5% growth projection, reinforcing that the expected expansion is not limited to a single region. For students, career changers, and experienced workers, these indicators can be used to gauge the relative stability and opportunity within medical assisting compared with other options they may be considering.
Location makes a clear difference for medical assistants, both in pay and in overall opportunity scores. Among states, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $49,660, and employment of 117,060, combining higher pay with many jobs. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries near or just under $50,000. Colorado and Washington also rank highly; Washington stands out for a $59,290 median salary and 19,500 jobs, while Colorado combines a $48,400 median salary with 13,160 jobs. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27), with San Jose also offering a $61,940 median salary. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH provide strong combinations of salary and opportunity score, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers a sizable employment base and competitive pay.
The typical education requirement for medical assistants is a postsecondary nondegree award, which can make this career accessible without a full college degree. This educational path generally prepares candidates with a mix of technical and foundational abilities that align with the occupation’s key skills. Success in the role draws on adaptability and project management, supporting organized work in changing situations. Interpersonal skills, customer service, and speaking and listening are central for working effectively with patients and colleagues. Being detail oriented and comfortable with computers and information technology supports accurate, reliable performance. Skills in science and strong writing and reading help medical assistants understand and document information clearly. Creativity and innovation can also play a role in improving processes and solving day-to-day challenges. Together, the postsecondary nondegree requirement and this broad skill set make medical assisting a structured option for people looking to enter or advance within healthcare support roles.
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