Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Medical Assistant Medical 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 & 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. Some employers may require medical assistants to meet other qualifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 109,700 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 growing size of the older adult population, which typically has more healthcare concerns than younger age groups, will increase demand for medical services. As a result, more medical assistants will be needed to support healthcare teams in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other care settings by performing routine administrative and clinical tasks. Medical Assistants Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Medical assistants 13% Other healthcare support occupations 10% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Medical Assistants Do
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 supplies
Medical 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
Work Environment
Medical assistants held about 833,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of medical assistants were as follows:
| Offices of physicians | 56% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 17 |
| Outpatient care centers | 10 |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 8 |
Some 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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
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.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.