Medical assistants
SOC Code: 31-9092Also known as:
Autopsy Assistant, Bilingual Medical Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Chiropractic Assistant, Chiropractor Assistant
Median Annual Salary
$44,200
+12.5% growth (2024-2034)
112K
Openings/Year
811K
Current Jobs
What Medical assistants Do
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
💰 Salary
$44,200
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+12.5%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
112K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
811,000
Projected Employment (2034)
912,200
Related Careers
Registered nurses
$93,600 •
+4.9% growth
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
$67,260 •
+3.0% growth
Ophthalmic medical technicians
$44,080 •
+19.8% growth
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340 •
+2.6% growth
Surgical assistants
$60,290 •
+5.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
- Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
- Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
- Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Post-Secondary Certificate
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Medical assistants
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a medical assistants:
Medical/Clinical Assistant
52,819 degrees awarded •
1,064 colleges offer this program
Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist
1,195 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Anesthesiologist Assistant
423 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Medical assistants
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become medical assistants.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make?
The median annual salary for medical assistants is $44,200.
What education do medical assistants need?
Most medical assistants positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Common degree programs include Medical/Clinical Assistant, Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist, Anesthesiologist Assistant.
Is becoming medical assistants a good career choice?
Medical assistants is projected to see +12.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is much faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 112,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for medical assistants?
Top colleges for aspiring medical assistants include
Tulsa Technology Center, Unitek College, Hunter Business School, Santa Ana College, Front Range Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to medical assistants?
Medical assistants may also be known as: Autopsy Assistant, Bilingual Medical Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Chiropractic Assistant, Chiropractor Assistant, Client Services Coordinator, Clinic Assistant, Clinic Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Dermatology Medical Assistant, Doctor Assistant, Doctor's Assistant, Family Medicine Medical Assistant, Health Assistant, Health Unit Clerk, Hospital Clinic Assistant, Medical Assistant (MA), Medical Office Worker, Medical Support Assistant, Medical Technician Assistant (Medical Tech Assistant).
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.