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
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. PayThe median annual wage for medical assistants was $45,690 in May 2025. 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. 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.
Your Next Step
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Pay
The median annual wage for medical assistants was $45,690 in May 2025. 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. 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.
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. 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 They 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 $45,690 in May 2025.
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.
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.
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 $45,690 in May 2025.
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.
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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about medical assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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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.