Medical Assistants
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$45,690/yr
Typical range
$38,470 – $49,180
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Medical Assistants does
Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in healthcare offices, including patient intake, vital signs measurement, basic lab tests, and scheduling. They support doctors and nurses in patient care.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- Dental Assistants — $48,070/yr
- Phlebotomists — $45,230/yr
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers — $38,150/yr
- Physical Therapist Assistants — $68,380/yr
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