Medical Assisting
As a medical assistant, you will be working in various clinical and clerical settings. You will be in charge of various duties in these fields, including taking patient vital signs, keeping records, processing medical bills, and more. If the healthcare organization for which you work is very large, it is possible for you to specialize on the administrative side of a specific type of clinical areas, such as oncology, gerontology, ophthalmology and so on. Usually, to become a medical assistant, you must complete a certificate program or associate’s degree. Although not legally required, most medical assistants undergo a certification exam to become Certified Medical Assistants, which opens more employment opportunities and increases salary.
Career Information for Medical Assistants
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that the average annual salary for a medical assistant in 2013 was between $21,280 and $41,910 per year. The median, therefore, is $29,610. The educational requirements depend on the employer for whom the medical assistant will work, but most complete some post-secondary training, up to an associate’s degree. Certification is optional but highly recommended. Additionally, it is possible to gain better salaries and job prospects through certification and further specialization training.
Types of Medical Assistants
There are currently three broad types of medical assistants. These are the administrative medical assistants, the clinical medical assistants and the specialized medical assistants. Let’s take a look at these three categories.
1. Administrative Medical Assistants
Your role here will be to ensure a clinical or medical office is able to operate as well as possible. You will be responsible for a range of clerical functions, including filling out forms, answering telephone calls, dealing with internal and external correspondence, updating patient records and files and so on. To become an administrative medical assistant, you should have some knowledge of medical terminology. Most importantly, you should have good IT skills, excellent communication skills (both oral and written) and a great understanding of phone etiquette.
You will be responsible for maintaining the records of the various patients in the clinic. You will book their appointments and arrange their referrals. If you are employed in a front facing clinic, you will usually also hold responsibility for the reception and front desk, as well as having to do some billing and accounting. Your role in the office of a physician is absolutely pivotal. It is your responsibility to make sure that the office runs properly. You will ensure the physician is not interrupted unnecessarily and that they are able to provide the best patient care.
2. Clinical Medical Assistants
As a clinical medical assistant, you will have most of the duties that an administrative medical assistant has, as well as other responsibilities. Exactly what tasks you can engage in will depend on the laws of your state. At most, you will be able to discuss treatments and explain these to the patients, prepare them for treatment and take their medical history.
Your role will be above and beyond filing, scheduling and answering questions from your patients. Instead, you will really interact with your patients in a hands-on way. You may help a physician if instructed to do so, maintain examination rooms, prepare specimens and more. The AAMA certification is almost always required in order to be able to do this job. This is because it demonstrates that you have completed an accredited program and therefore have the experience and education required to be able to work in this role. Your curriculum should have included human anatomy and medical terminology, as well as office practices and patient relations.
Your focus will be on the actual care of the patient. This means that you may be able to conduct full assessments, as well as a range of other more clinical tasks. Most clinical medical assistants would be able to take vital signs of patients in different medical settings. They also assist the physician during their examination and treatment. A clinical medical assistant has an incredibly broad job description. However, the true focus is on a health care practice’s clinical aspects.
Further Reading: Become a Medical Assistant in 6 Weeks | Accelerated Programs
3. Specialized Medical Assistants
There are a number of specialized fields of medical assisting. The Association of Medical Technologists offers a range of different specialization fields to choose from. In order to take part in these, you must have gained your education from an accredited agency. Furthermore, you must be a CMA. By taking part in specialization training, you open up further career opportunities and you could significantly increase your salary.
One specialization is the ophthalmic medical assistant. This is a diploma program that looks specifically at ophthalmology. Hence, you are able to assist ophthalmologists during their testing and caring of patients. Additionally, you may be able to administer full visual examinations.
You can also choose to complete a specialization as a podiatric medical assistant, allowing you to develop as well as file x-rays and make castings of feet. You can also become a chiropractic medical assistant or an optometric medical assistant. There are various other positions that offer specialized training options.
If you want to become a specialized medical assistant, you need to think about where your medical interests are. You should then choose a certification that focuses specifically on that area of medicine. You could choose an area, such as geriatrics, family medicine, OB/GYN, internal medicine, oncology and pediatrics. Other interesting options include cardiology, transplantation surgery, urology, endocrinology and women’s health, for instance.
Now is the time to become a medical assistant, even if you do not know which specialization to choose. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 30% or above growth in medical assisting positions by 2022. You can choose between administrative, clinical or specialized medical assisting to find something that you really like. Furthermore, since the training sessions do not take long to complete, it is even possible to have multiple specializations. The earning potential is really good, the employment opportunities even better and the job itself is rewarding and challenging at the same time.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is likely to be a 29% growth in demand for medical assistants between 2012 and 2022. This is a much faster average than most other professions. The reason for this is that the population is aging, which means there is an increased need for preventive services. These services are offered by physicians, who are seeing great expansions of their practices. As a result, they are looking for a larger medical assistant workforce for the more routine tasks on clerical and clinical duties.
What Is a Medical Assistant?
Medical assistants work within allied health. They are not nurses, nor are they physician’s assistants. They have to work under the full supervision of either a physician or a nurse. They are not licensed, although you can become certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants. Although this is not a legal requirement, most employers do request it and job opportunities and salaries are better for those who are certified medical assistants (CMAs). A medical assistant supports physicians and various other professionals in the health care sector with their administrative tasks, as well as with some clinical tasks.
National Medical Assistant Statistics
According to the BLS, there were some 560,800 medical assistants in the country in 2012. The majority of these work in physician’s offices. Usually, they will hold some sort of post-secondary education, which can be a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree. Some, however, do find work straight out of school and are trained on the job. Their average annual salary was $29,370 in May 2012.
Top States for Medical Assistants
According to the Occupational Employment and Wages handbook by the BLS, the states that employ the most medical assistants are:
1. California, with a mean annual salary of $34,050.
2. Texas, with a mean annual salary of $28,130.
3. Florida, with a mean annual salary of $28,620.
4. Pennsylvania, with a mean annual salary of $29,990.
5. New York, with a mean annual salary of $33,370.
The five states with the highest concentration of jobs for medical assistants are:
1. New Mexico, with a mean annual salary of $28,070.
2. Arizona, with a mean annual salary of $31,350.
3. Michigan, with a mean annual salary of $28,720.
4. California, with a mean annual salary of $34,050.
5. Utah, with a mean annual salary of $28,490.
The states that pay the highest by mean annual wage are:
1. Alaska, with a mean annual salary of $39,610.
2. District of Columbia, with a mean annual salary of $38,870.
3. Massachusetts, with a mean annual salary of $37,460.
4. Washington, with a mean annual salary of $35,600.
5. Connecticut, with a mean annual salary of $34,260.
Salary by State
SalaryByState.org has gathered data from all medical assistant salaries across the country and divided this by state. This information, which was gathered in 2013, also demonstrates how each state compares to the national average. By state, in alphabetical order, including U.S. Territories, the averages are:
Alabama
The average salary for a medical assistant in Alabama is $28,000, which is 2% above the national average.
Alaska
The average salary for a medical assistant in Alaska is $23,000, which is 16% below the national average.
Arizona
The average salary for a medical assistant in Arizona is $24,000, which is 12% below the national average.
Arkansas
The average salary for a medical assistant in Arkansas is $28,000, which is 2% above the national average.
California
The average salary for a medical assistant in California is $31,000, which is 10% above the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Colorado is $30,000, which is 12% below the national average.
Connecticut
The average salary for a medical assistant in Connecticut is $31,000, which is 8% above the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Delaware is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
District of Columbia
The average salary for a medical assistant in the District of Columbia is $32,000, which is 15% above the national average.
Florida
The average salary for a medical assistant in Florida is $27,000, which is 5% below the national average.
Georgia
The average salary for a medical assistant in Georgia is $30,000, which is 9% above the national average.
Guam
The average salary for a medical assistant in Guam is $23,000, which is 16% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Hawaii is $20,000, which is 29% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Idaho is $23,000, which is 17% below the national average.
Illinois
The average salary for a medical assistant in Illinois is $29,000, which is 5% above the national average.
Indiana
The average salary for a medical assistant in Indiana is $28,000, which is on par with the national average.
Iowa
The average salary for a medical assistant in Iowa is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
Kansas
The average salary for a medical assistant in Kansas is $25,000, which is 9% below the national average.
Kentucky
The average salary for a medical assistant in Kentucky is $24,000, which is 13% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Louisiana is $23,000, which is 16% below the national average.
Maine
The average salary for a medical assistant in Maine is $25,000, which is 11% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Maryland is $28,000, which is on par with the national average.
Massachusetts
The average salary for a medical assistant in Massachusetts is $32,000, which is 14% above the national average.
Michigan
The average salary for a medical assistant in Michigan is $27,000, which is 3% below the national average.
Minnesota
The average salary for a medical assistant in Minnesota is $25,000, which is 10% below the national average.
Mississippi
The average salary for a medical assistant in Mississippi is $33,000, which is 16% above the national average.
Missouri
The average salary for a medical assistant in Missouri is $28,000, which is 1% below the national average.
Montana
The average salary for a medical assistant in Montana is $28,000, which is 1% below the national average.
Nebraska
The average salary for a medical assistant in Nebraska is $22,000, which is 19% below the national average.
Nevada
The average salary for a medical assistant in Nevada is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
New Hampshire
The average salary for a medical assistant in New Hampshire is $27,000, which is 2% below the national average.
New Jersey
The average salary for a medical assistant in New Jersey is $29,000, which is 6% above the national average.
New Mexico
The average salary for a medical assistant in New Mexico is $25,000, which is 10% below the national average.
New York
The average salary for a medical assistant in New York is $33,000, which is 17% above the national average.
North Carolina
The average salary for a medical assistant in North Carolina is $28,000, which is 1% below the national average.
North Dakota
The average salary for a medical assistant in North Dakota is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Ohio is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
Oklahoma
The average salary for a medical assistant in Oklahoma is $25,000, which is 9% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Oregon is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
Pennsylvania
The average salary for a medical assistant in Pennsylvania is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Rhode Island is $28,000, which is 1% below the national average.
South Carolina
The average salary for a medical assistant in South Carolina is $25,000, which is 10% below the national average.
South Dakota
The average salary for a medical assistant in South Dakota is $22,000, which is 22% below the national average.
The average salary for a medical assistant in Tennessee is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
Texas
The average salary for a medical assistant in Texas is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
Utah
The average salary for a medical assistant in Utah is $24,000, which is 12% below the national average.
Vermont
The average salary for a medical assistant in Vermont is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
Virgin Islands
The average salary for a medical assistant in the Virgin Islands is $32,000, which is 15% above the national average.
Virginia
The average salary for a medical assistant in Virginia is $28,000, which is 1% below the national average.
Washington
The average salary for a medical assistant in Washington is $27,000, which is 5% below the national average.
West Virginia
The average salary for a medical assistant in West Virginia is $28,000, which is 1% below the national average.
Wisconsin
The average salary for a medical assistant in Wisconsin is $24,000, which is 12% below the national average.
Wyoming
The average salary for a medical assistant in Wyoming is $26,000, which is 7% below the national average.
3100+ Medical Assisting Schools + Allied Health & Support
This comprehensive list of medical assisting & allied health schools and colleges provide the opportunity for you to start your career in one of the nation’s fastest-growing career segments according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our list of 3122 medical assisting & allied health schools is the most comprehensive list you will find because of the daunting research effort we put forth to showcase what’s available. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed all schools by state highlighting: number of schools, average tuition, and type of school (public or private).
If you’re short on time with work or family commitments, compare Online medical assisting programs.
Find your state and get started today.
| State | Number of Schools | Average Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 6 | $7,705 |
| Alabama | 45 | $8,844 |
| Arkansas | 39 | $4,865 |
| Arizona | 53 | $6,731 |
| California | 283 | $8,228 |
| Colorado | 53 | $8,253 |
| Connecticut | 50 | $12,937 |
| District of Columbia | 6 | $30,083 |
| Delaware | 9 | $8,887 |
| Florida | 186 | $10,345 |
| Georgia | 78 | $6,627 |
| Hawaii | 8 | $8,252 |
| Iowa | 47 | $13,498 |
| Idaho | 17 | $8,295 |
| Illinois | 124 | $12,339 |
| Indiana | 49 | $14,881 |
| Kansas | 54 | $8,628 |
| Kentucky | 51 | $11,552 |
| Louisiana | 60 | $7,166 |
| Massachusetts | 66 | $14,431 |
| Maryland | 37 | $8,067 |
| Maine | 20 | $8,425 |
| Michigan | 105 | $10,741 |
| Minnesota | 69 | $11,636 |
| Missouri | 85 | $11,419 |
| Mississippi | 29 | $5,735 |
| Montana | 8 | $6,111 |
| North Carolina | 98 | $7,168 |
| North Dakota | 12 | $6,728 |
| Nebraska | 25 | $10,029 |
| New Hampshire | 15 | $12,540 |
| New Jersey | 80 | $11,059 |
| New Mexico | 26 | $2,960 |
| Nevada | 18 | $9,771 |
| New York | 144 | $12,950 |
| Ohio | 190 | $12,066 |
| Oklahoma | 72 | $6,758 |
| Oregon | 32 | $9,461 |
| Pennsylvania | 152 | $15,462 |
| Rhode Island | 8 | $14,751 |
| South Carolina | 40 | $11,075 |
| South Dakota | 20 | $9,803 |
| Tennessee | 69 | $11,381 |
| Texas | 213 | $7,524 |
| Utah | 38 | $10,996 |
| Virginia | 82 | $11,040 |
| Vermont | 8 | $17,456 |
| Washington | 48 | $6,837 |
| Wisconsin | 49 | $11,655 |
| West Virginia | 37 | $8,477 |
| Wyoming | 9 | $3,484 |
The following list provides a comprehensive look at over 3185 of medical assisting, healthcare support and allied health programs available at over 3185 nationwide. Many of these schools have an option in one or more of these programs. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed all options below highlighting: Program Name, Number of Schools and Online Options.
To find a school, start by clicking on the desired program.
| Program | # of Schools | Online Options |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Assistant Services | 167 | 78 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 14 | 11 |
| Athletic & Fitness Training | 416 | 361 |
| Blood Bank Technology Technician | 32 | 8 |
| Cardiovascular Technology Technician | 106 | 63 |
| Chiropractic Technician & Assistant | 5 | 3 |
| Clinical Genetics Technician | 5 | 2 |
| Clinical Laboratory Assistant | 64 | 37 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science Technician | 336 | 279 |
| Clinical Medical Assistant | 1575 | 740 |
| Clinical Medical Laboratory Technician | 291 | 259 |
| Cytotechnology Technician | 29 | 19 |
| Dental Assisting | 700 | 348 |
| Dental Hygiene | 357 | 305 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | 42 | 35 |
| Electrocardiograph Technology Technician | 49 | 21 |
| Electroneurodiagnostic Technology Technician | 26 | 21 |
| Emergency Care EMT | 73 | 51 |
| Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic | 638 | 521 |
| Hearing Instrument Technician | 2 | 2 |
| Hematology Technology Technician | 10 | 7 |
| Histologic Technician | 15 | 15 |
| Histologic Technology | 12 | 9 |
| Mammography Technician | 8 | 6 |
| MRI Technology Technician | 28 | 16 |
| Nuclear Medical Technology Technician | 108 | 84 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 180 | 146 |
| Pathology Assistant | 7 | 4 |
| Perfusion Technology Technician | 8 | 2 |
| Pharmacy Technician Assistant | 736 | 360 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 296 | 209 |
| Physical Therapy Technician Assistant | 313 | 263 |
| Physician Assistant | 155 | 110 |
| Polysomnography Technician | 27 | 23 |
| Radiation & Health Physics Technician. | 11 | 10 |
| Radiation Therapy Technician | 363 | 277 |
| Radiologic Science Technology | 415 | 328 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 8 | 4 |
| Renal Dialysis Technician | 49 | 25 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy Technician | 428 | 342 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician & Assistant | 57 | 38 |
| Sonography & Ultrasound Technician | 288 | 185 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 7 | 6 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | 17 | 12 |
| Surgical Technology Technician | 536 | 346 |
| Veterinary Technician & Assistant | 279 | 214 |
Online Medical Assisting Schools & Programs
Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare workforce and they can be found in all elements of the industry. They are responsible for clerical and clinical duties and ensure a clinic or hospital operates properly. Their duties are to make sure patients are happy with the care they receive, but also that physicians and nurses can perform their job properly.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for medical assistants is incredibly strong. A growth in demand of 29% is expected between now and 2020.
In order to become a medical assistant, you should start by obtaining the right education. Medical assistants usually have to spend some time learning clinical duties in the field, but there are now a number of programs that allow the academic part of the program to be completed online. This is perfect for those who have a family to look after, or who are already in employment. A good online medical assistant program will include all the necessary elements of this profession. This includes billing and coding, medical terminology, office procedures and anatomy and physiology.
This type of educational program is offered in a number of different ways. There is the diploma program, which usually takes around nine months to complete. The certificate program is slightly more in-depth and will usually take at least one year to complete. Finally, there is the associate’s degree, which is the most advanced of the three. This tends to take two years to complete.
Regardless of which program you choose, you must make sure that it is offered by a high quality, accredited school. Additionally, you should look at finding a school that meets your personal needs and requirements. Below are what we believe to be the top 10 online medical assistant schools & programs to help you get started.
1. Herzing University
Herzing has numerous campuses across the country. They offer a fully online program, but it is always easy to attend a campus location, as there are so many to choose from.
- Campus: Milwaukee, WI
- Degree programs: Diploma and Associate’s Degree
- Tuition: This varies depending on the chosen program and the campus in which you are enrolled. However, it averages between $22,800 and $27,300.
- Length of program: The average is between 4 and 5 semesters.
- Accreditation: ABHES, CAAHEP, MAERB
- School Site: Herzing University
2. U.S. Career Institute
This online program is recognized around the country for its excellence. What sets the school apart is its money back commitment, meaning you can try courses for five days and receive a refund if you don’t complete the program. Additionally, they offer a Success Promise, which means your tuition will be refunded if you do not find employment.
- Campus: Fort Collins, CO
- Degree programs: Certificate
- Tuition: $1,279 but discounts of up to $329 are possible, reducing the tuition to $979
- Length of program: Four months, although dictated by your own pace
- Accreditation: ACDETC
- School Site: U.S. Career Institute
3. Penn Foster College
Penn Foster College prides itself on its affordability and quality of education. The program prepares graduates to sit the Registered or Certified Medical Assistant examinations. Pass rates on first try are 90% Penn Foster credits can be transferred to other institutions if you wish to continue on to your bachelor’s degree.
- Campus: Scottsdale, AZ
- Degree programs: Associate’s degree
- Tuition: $4,355
- Length of program: 2 years on average
- Accreditation: ABHES
- School Site: Penn Foster College
4. Midway College
This school was established in 1847 and they have always been at the forefront of modern education. They offer their program fully online, as well as on campus. Additionally, you can transfer credits to further education at the bachelor’s level.
- Midway, KY
- Degree programs: Associate’s Degree
- Tuition: $445 per credit hour
- Length of program: Two years on average – 62 semesters
- Accreditation: SACSCC
- School Site: Midway College
5. Anthem College
At Anthem College, students are prepared for their future at a pace that suits them. It is available for those who already hold a diploma program in medical assisting. The school prides itself on its unique outlook. 100% of graduates find work in the field after graduation.
- Campus: Various locations in Florida
- Degree programs: Associate’s degree, diploma
- Tuition: $27,733
- Length of program: 2 years
- Accreditation: ABHES, ACICS
- School Site: Anthem College
6. Ashworth College
At Ashworth College, you can gain your education as quickly as possible, at a price you can afford. The school has partnered with the nationally recognized National Healthcareer Association (NHA). This allows students to find more career opportunities and enjoy higher salaries.
- Campus: Norcross, GA
- Degree programs: Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
- Tuition: Between $604 and $744
- Length of program: Six months
- Accreditation: DETC, CHEA, GNPEC
- School Site: Ashworth College
7. Everest College
Everest College is one of the most popular schools for medical assistants in the country. Their program is highly respected and graduates are in high demand. Employment opportunities and advancement opportunities are plentiful.
- Campus: Various locations
- Degree programs: Diploma
- Tuition: $20,000
- Length of program: 61 semester hours
- Accreditation: CAAHEP, ACICS
- School Site: Everest College
8. ECPI University
This is not one of the better-known universities in the country, but they offer a fantastic program for medical assisting. One of the benefits of their program is that it is incredibly quick to complete. They offer job placements in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
- Campus: Various locations in VA, SC and NC
- Degree programs: Associate’s degree
- Tuition: $27,373.85
- Length of program: 16 months
- Accreditation: ABHES
- School Site: ECPI University
9. Century College
Century College wants to change the lives of their students. They believe the world is a puzzle made up of communities and students. Students are pushed to be successful in all that they do, so they are able to positively impact the communities in which they will work.
- Campus: White Bear Lake, MN
- Degree programs: Diploma
- Tuition: $11,000
- Length of program: 48 credits
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- School Site: Century College
10. Harrison College
Harrison College is respected across the country for its breadth of educational programs. On completion of their associate’s degree, you can also continue on to gain further education through the same school. The quality of the program is very high and relevant to the workforce of today.
- Campus: Various locations
- Degree programs: Associate’s degree
- Tuition: $4,800 per quarter
- Length of program: 8 quarters
- Accreditation: HLC, ACICS, CAAHEP
- School Site: Harrison College