Medical Assistant Statistics

Medical assistants typically work alongside physicians in doctors' offices and clinics. They often take care of both clinical and administrative duties ranging from scheduling appointments to drawing blood samples. 

This guide takes a look at medical assistant statistics and data, including demographics, work environment, career outlook, salary, and more.

Medical Assistant Employment Statistics

• As of 2024, there are about 811,000 medical assistants working in the United States. This includes both certified and uncertified medical assistants. The number of jobs is expected to increase to 912,200 by 2034.
• There are typically 112,300 medical assistant job openings each year in the United States. This robust job outlook is a result of medical assistants retiring, changing careers, and the increasing demand for medical assistants across the country. 
• The expected growth in employment between 2024 to 2034 is 12%. This expected growth rate is much higher than the national average for all occuptions. 
• 57% of medical assistants work in doctors' offices. Other locations where medical assistants commonly work include hospitals (17%), outpatient care centers (10%), and the offices of other healthcare providers (7%). 
• 62% of employers say that certification is the first thing they look for in a new employee. While medical assistant certification isn't the only important attribute, it is highly valued by most employers. Other skills employers look for include professionalism, critical thinking, and good verbal communication. 
• 52% of employers report that medical assistants require more advanced skills than they did in the past. Employers report that the important advanced skills that medical assistants perform include running panel reports (26%), health coaching (29%), phone triage/screening (54%), medical screening (45%), navigating the healthcare system (25%), and translating (26%). 
• Employers report that 59% of their newly certified medical assistants are prepared to perform their responsibilities well.  They also report that the most lacking soft skills among new medical assistants include critical thinking, professionalism, and verbal communication. 
• Medical assistants in every state are allowed to administer medication. While all medical assistants are allowed to give medication, they are not allowed to administer IV medications (though they can start IVs in most states). 
• 88% of employers encourage or require certification for medical assistants. Almost all healthcare facilities prefer to hire medical assistants who have earned their certification. For medical administrative assistants, 81% of employers encourage or require certification, which is still a large majority. 
• Of employers looking to hire medical assistants, 62% screen for certification. In addition, 51% look for years of experience, and 38% look for CPR or BLS certification. 58% screen for some kind of medical assistant training, with or without certification. 
• The average age of a medical assistant is 36.9 years old. Average age varies slightly based on gender, with female medical assistants averaging 37 years old and male medical assistants averaging 35.5 years old. 
• 90.3% of medical assistants are female. As of 2022, the gender breakdown between medical assistants shows that the large majority of medical assistants are female. There are about 549,276 female medical assistants in the United States and only 59,211 male medical assistants. 
• 54.8% of medical assistants are white, non-Hispanic employees. White, non-Hispanic employees make up the majority of medical assistants. Hispanic is the second most common race of medical assistants (29.5%), followed by Black (15%). 13% of medical assistants state that they belong to two or more races.  
• 6% of medical assistants in the United States are LGBTQ.  LGBTQ stats may be skewed due to underreporting of LGBTQ employees. Many employees choose not to disclose this information for fear of discrimination in the workplace. 

Medical Assistant Salary Statistics

The national average salary for medical assistants is about $44,000 annually, which comes out to $21.20 per hour. The highest-performing medical assistants earned as much as $57,830, and the lowest performers earned $35,020. 

Being certified can get you closer to the higher end of the salary range. Salary differences for certified MAs can be as much as 10%, and 56% of healthcare institutions will pay employees more if they have a professional certification. 

Medical Assistant Salaries by State

Salary of Medical Assistant Specialties

Here are some of the highest paid medical assistant specialties:

• Podiatry Medical Assistant – $59,000
• Ophthalmology Medical Assistant – $50,000
• Emergency Medicine Medical Assistant – $46,000
• Oncology Medical Assistant – $85,000
• Anesthesiology Medical Assistant – $65,000

Medical Assistant Certification Statistics

While most certifications are viewed similarly by employers, there are some differences between them. 

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Statistics

• Issuing organization: National Healthcareer Association
• Cost of certification: $165
• # exam questions: 180 multiple-choice questions
• Pass rate: 81%
• Recertification timeline: Every 2 years
• Recertification requirements: 10 hours of continuing education credits plus the recertification fee 
• Recertification cost: $185

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Statistics 

• Issuing organization: American Association of Medical Assistants
• Cost of certification: $125
• # exam questions: 200 multiple-choice questions
• Pass rate: 69%
• Recertification timeline: Every 5 years
• Recertification requirements: Complete 60 continuing education units (CEUs) or retake the exam
• Recertification cost: $80 for members, $160 for nonmembers

Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Statistics 

• Issuing organization: American Medical Technologists
• Cost of certification: $150
• # exam questions: 210 multiple-choice questions
• Pass rate: 71%
• Recertification timeline: Every 3 years
• Recertification requirements: 10 points of continuing education credits per year over 3 years
• Recertification cost: $75 annual fee

National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) Statistics 

• Issuing organization: National Center for Competency Testing
• Cost of certification: $119
• # exam questions: 150 scored questions and 30 unscored questions
• Pass rate: 60%
• Recertification timeline: Yearly 
• Recertification requirements: 12 hours of continuing education per year
• Recertification cost: $89 per year

>> Learn more: CMA vs RMA vs CCMA

Other Interesting Medical Assistant Data & Statistics

• 59% of medical assistants give their work environment at least 4/5 stars. Job satisfaction statistics show that most medical assistants are happy in their jobs. 
• Only 11% of medical assistants are completely satisfied with their pay. Medical assistants, while happy at their jobs, often feel that they should be paid more for what they do. 
• 74% of medical assistants receive major medical insurance through their employer. Other benefits often offered to medical assistants include; paid time off, dental coverage, sick leave, and disability insurance. 

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