Perform administrative and clinical tasks to support physicians in offices and clinics.
Pay
$37,770
Lower reported wage
$44,200
Median
$57,830
Upper reported wage
Annual U.S. salaries. Actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience. The lower and upper figures do not represent starting and senior salaries.
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Compare medical assisting certificates and associate programs, including their clinical-practice component. Some employers train high-school graduates on the job.
Build clinical and administrative skills such as vital signs, medical terminology, records, and patient communication under the employer’s scope of duties.
Check the rules of the state and employer where you want to work. Certification or basic life support may be preferred or required for particular jobs.
Most states do not require a universal medical-assistant credential, but some states regulate duties or require training or certification. Employers may require a credential or basic life support.[1]
Search CareerOneStop by occupation and state, then confirm the rules with the issuing agency. Coverage is incomplete; an empty result does not mean no license is required.
A direct certificate or associate preparation route; compare supervised practice and employer or state credential rules.[1]
Daily life
What you would do
Schedule patients, update records, take vital signs, prepare exam rooms, and assist clinicians; the balance of office and clinical work varies.[1]
Where you could work
Most work in physicians’ offices; others work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.[1]
Hours and flexibility
Most work full time. Facilities open around the clock may schedule evening, weekend, or holiday shifts.[1]
Physical and emotional demands
Some roles involve prolonged standing and direct patient contact; others involve extensive computer and record work. Patients may be ill or distressed.[1]
How you could advance
Additional education or training can support movement into other healthcare roles; medical assisting itself does not grant another profession’s license.[1]
These are possible directions. Promotion timing and pay depend on the role and employer.
Questions to ask yourself and an employer
Would I enjoy switching between patient care and detailed office tasks?
What clinical duties would my state and employer actually allow?
