Medical Assistants
At a glance
- Median Salary$33,722
- Local Jobs1,147

Occupation Profile
By the Numbers
Median annual earnings$33,722
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationLocal Jobs1,147
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationEntry-level educationCertification
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation
Daily Tasks
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients’ medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians’ instructions to patients.
- Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
- Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
- Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
- Perform routine laboratory tests and sample analyses.
- Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
- Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
- Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
- Change dressings on wounds.
- Schedule appointments for patients.
- Inventory and order medical, lab, or office supplies or equipment.
- Contact medical facilities or departments to schedule patients for tests or admission.
- Operate x-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), or other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
- Set up medical laboratory equipment.
Occupational Skills
Hard Skills
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Electrocardiography
- Electronic Medical Record
- Intravenous Therapy
- Medical Assistance
- Medical Records
- Nursing
- Patient Preparation
- Phlebotomy
- Vital Signs
Soft Skills
- Clerical Works
- Communications
- Computer Literacy
- Customer Service
- Multilingualism
- Multitasking
- Quality Control
- Scheduling
- Verbal Communication Skills
- Writing
Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.
Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.
Educational Programs
Medical Billing Specialist with Electronic Health Records
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 444 | Yes | No |
Medical Billing Specialist
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 310 | Yes | No |
ICD-10 Medical Coding
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 200 | Yes | No |
CMAA with Medical Billing and Coding
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 530 | Yes | No |
CMAA with Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist + Medical Terminology
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 354 | Yes | No |
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 160 | Yes | No |
CCMA + Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 674 | Yes | No |
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
Certificate | Cert | 540 | Yes | No |
Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
CTE | Yes | No |
Clinical Medical Assistant with Spanish (CCMA)
Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
CTE | Yes | No |
Learn more aboutMedical Assistants
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