How much does a medical assistant make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical medical assistant in the United States makes $45,690 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They greet patients, ask about health history, and measure blood pressure and height. Between visits, they may clean instruments, collect samples, update records, answer calls, or book appointments.
Did you know? Some US medical assistants operate EKG or X-ray equipment for routine tests—not just phones and patient records.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,050 and $59,310How do you become one?
In the US, most finish high school and a 1–2-year medical-assisting program with hands-on practice; some learn at work or through an apprenticeship. Some take a certification exam; most states do not require certification, but rules vary.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like keeping things organized and helping and teaching
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience and certifications that employers value can raise a medical assistant's pay. Location, the workplace (such as a clinic or hospital), the kind of medicine they help with, and hours worked can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($59,290), lowest in Mississippi ($35,360).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,050 | $45,690 | $59,310 | about 818,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 | about 20,000 |
| Alaska | $52,560 | about 2,000 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | about 2,000 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 | about 11,000 |
| Oregon | $50,410 | about 12,000 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Physician Assistants” (29-1071).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9092.00
- aama-ntl.org/certification/eligibility
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY