Illinois doesn’t have any specific legal requirements for Medical Administrative Assistants, but prospective employers will still expect you to meet a certain bar. First, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, and then you’ll want to complete an accredited training program and pass an exam to earn certification. (You don’t need to be certified to work as a Medical Administrative Assistant in Illinois, but you can earn a higher salary that way.)

Once you’re certified, all that’s left is to find your first full-time job at one of Illinois’s many hospitals, private practices, or insurance companies. Learn more about how to become a Medical Administrative Assistant in our guide.

You have a few options for increasing your salary as a Medical Administrative Assistant in Illinois, but the fastest way to boost your earning potential is to get certified by passing an exam. Completing an accredited training program like Stepful’s will prepare you to pass a certification exam and start your career with a higher salary.

Illinois Medical Administrative Assistants have a variety of career paths open to them. With the right experience and education, you could progress into positions that command higher salaries and more responsibilities, including Health Information Specialist, Medical Office Manager, and Healthcare Administrator.