### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Medical Assistants Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			medical assistants imageMedical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.							
						Quick Facts:     Medical Assistants2023     Median Pay
            						$42,000     per year
										$20.19     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    764,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    14% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    105,900What Medical Assistants Do
                                                
                        
                        
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most medical assistants work full time. They are employed in physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
            
                                                How to Become a Medical Assistant
                                                
                        
Medical assistants typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate. Some enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn through on-the-job training.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for medical assistants was $42,000 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of medical assistants is projected to grow							 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical assistants.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical assistants with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about medical assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Medical Assistants Do 
            

			Medical assistantsMedical assistants take patients' vital signs, such as their blood pressure.			
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs. Their duties vary by location, specialty, and employer.
Duties
Medical assistants typically do the following:
Interview patients and record their medical history
Measure patients' vital signs, such as their blood pressure and weight
Help physicians with patient examinations
Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians and as permitted by state law
Schedule patient appointments
Collect and prepare samples of blood and other specimens for laboratory tests
Enter patient information, such as their vital signs and test results, into medical records
Maintain inventory of medical and office suppliesMedical assistants often focus on either clinical or administrative tasks, although some do both. Their primary clinical tasks involve taking and recording patients’ personal information and medical history. Other tasks that assistants are allowed to do vary by state and may include performing basic laboratory tests, disposing of contaminated supplies, and sterilizing medical instruments. Some assistants have additional responsibilities, such as instructing patients about medications or drawing blood.
Medical assistants may have a range of administrative tasks. They help patients understand and receive their insurance coverage, such as by completing forms, coding information, and contacting companies about billing. They also inventory, order, and restock medical and office supplies; answer telephones; and schedule appointments.
Some medical assistants specialize according to the type of medical practice in which they work. For example, medical assistants who help ophthalmologists and optometrists show patients how to insert, remove, and care for contact lenses.
Medical assistants must adhere to confidentiality standards when working with patients and patient information.
Medical assistants should not be confused with other healthcare occupations that may have similar titles or duties. For example, both medical assistants and physician assistants work under the direction of physicians; however, physician assistants practice medicine and can prescribe medication under a physician’s supervision.
 Work Environment
			Medical assistantsMedical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of health practitioners running smoothly.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Medical assistants held about 764,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of medical assistants were as follows:
        Offices of physicians
                56%Hospitals; state, local, and private
                15Outpatient care centers
                9Offices of other health practitioners
                8Some medical assistants spend a lot of time standing or walking as they visit patients. Others sit at a computer for much of the day to work on administrative tasks.
Work Schedules
Most medical assistants work full time. Some work evening, weekend, or holiday shifts in medical facilities that are open around the clock.
 How to Become a Medical Assistant

			Medical assistantsMedical assistant programs typically include supervised experience, such as a practicum.			
Medical assistants typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate. Some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn through on-the-job training.
Education
High school students interested in a career as a medical assistant should take science classes, including biology and chemistry. Although employers often prefer to hire candidates with more education, some medical assistants have a high school diploma and learn their duties on the job.
Medical assistants typically complete a postsecondary program, such as for a medical assistant certificate or an associate’s degree. Programs are available in community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and universities and take about 1 or 2 years to complete. Medical assistant programs include courses such as medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology. They also typically include supervised experience, such as a practicum or an internship.
Training
Medical assistants who do not have postsecondary education may learn their skills through on-the-job training or an apprenticeship. Physicians or other medical assistants may teach a new assistant tasks such as how to take vital signs and how to interact with patients It may take several months for an assistant to complete training, depending on the facility.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require that medical assistants graduate from an accredited program, be licensed or certified, or meet other prerequisites in order to practice. Contact your state licensing agency for more information.
Although most states do not require it, employers may prefer or require that medical assistants be certified. Certification is available from a number of organizations, including the American Association of Medical Assistants, the American Medical Certification Association, National Center for Competency Testing, and the National Healthcareer Association.
Some employers may require medical assistants to meet other qualifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Medical assistants must be able to understand medical charts and diagnoses.
***Communication skills.*** Medical assistants need to convey important information to patients, such as when scheduling appointments or explaining medical information.
***Compassion.*** Medical assistants interact with patients who are sick or injured and who may be in extreme pain or distress. They must be empathetic toward patients and their families.
***Detail oriented.*** Medical assistants must be precise when taking vital signs or recording patient information. Physicians, patients, and insurance companies rely on accurate records.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Medical assistants work with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, and need to be able to discuss patient information with them. They also interact with patients and must be courteous.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Medical AssistantsMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Other healthcare support occupations$43,330  Medical assistants$42,000Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $42,000 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,500, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,480.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for medical assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Outpatient care centers
                $46,090Hospitals; state, local, and private
                44,350Offices of physicians
                40,670Offices of other health practitioners
                36,480Most medical assistants work full time. Some work evening, weekend, or holiday shifts in medical facilities that are open around the clock.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Medical AssistantsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Medical assistants14%  Other healthcare support occupations11%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of medical assistants is projected to grow				 14 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 114,600 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The large baby-boom population continues to enter older age groups, which typically have more healthcare concerns than younger age groups and will continue to increase demand for medical services. As a result, more medical assistants will be needed to perform routine administrative and clinical duties in physicians’ offices and other primary care settings.
			

                        Employment projections data for     medical assistants, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Medical assistants**
			31-9092
			764,400
			870,200
			14
			105,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Medical assistants **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of medical assistants. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Dental Assistants**
            Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $46,540**Dental Hygienists**
            Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.
            Associate's degree
            $87,530**Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars**
            Health information technologists and medical registrars advise organizations on computerized healthcare systems and analyze clinical data.
            Associate's degree
            $62,990**Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses**
            Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $59,730**Medical Records Specialists**
            Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $48,780**Nursing Assistants and Orderlies**
            Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas.
            See How to Become One
            $38,130**Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides**
            Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
            See How to Become One
            $65,450**Pharmacy Technicians**
            Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $40,300**Phlebotomists**
            Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $41,810**Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides**
            Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses.
            See How to Become One
            $58,740**Psychiatric Technicians and Aides**
            Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental conditions or developmental disabilities.
            See How to Become One
            $39,610
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about becoming a medical assistant, including information on certification, visit
American Association of Medical Assistants
American Medical Certification Association
American Medical Technologists
Institute for Credentialing Excellence
National Center for Competency Testing
National Healthcareer Association

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Medical Assistants
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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