How Much Do Certified Medical Assistants Make?
Certified medical assistants (CMAs) work under registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians, helping patients schedule appointments, showing them to exam rooms, and measuring vital signs. They typically work in an outpatient environment, but some may find work in hospitals or non-clinical roles.
A CMA’s salary can vary based on geographical location, work setting, experience, and education level. The job outlook for CMAs is positive, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicting a 14% growth through 2032. This guide will help any prospective certified medical assistant earn their highest potential salary.
Just the Highlights: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Salaries
Certified medical assistants can earn the highest average annual salaries in these locations and work settings:
Washington State
$53,780
Vallejo, CA
$66,590
Scientific Research and Development Services
$55,130
How Much Do Certified Medical Assistants Make?
In the United States, the average annual salary for a certified medical assistant is $43,350, which is about $20.84 an hour. This number can be lower or higher depending on several factors detailed below.
Certified medical assistant average annual salary
$43,350
Certified medical assistant average hourly wage
$20.84
The BLS reports the lowest 10% of CMA salaries average $33,500 per year ($16.11 an hour), and the highest 10% make $56,480 per year ($27.15 an hour). According to ZipRecruiter, however, the most current estimates put the CMA salary range from $33,500 to $56,480 a year.
Percentile Wage Estimates for Medical Assistants
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Salaries
Certified medical assistants have a choice in their education. They can attend a CMA certification program or they may earn an Associate in Medical Assisting. Before they do either, all CMAs must be able to show they graduated high school, earned a GED, or present a passing TABE test result.
Once this requirement has been met, CMA candidates can pursue either a certificate or a degree. A CMA with an associate’s degree may be able to earn more than one with a certificate, but it depends on the employer. CMAs who want to progress further in their medical career by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may want to complete an associate as a stepping stone to this goal.
Location and Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Salaries
Geographical location can affect certified medical assistant’s salaries based on the cost of living in the area. The West Coast, Northeast, and some midwestern states pay CMAs the best overall, while the Southeast pays the least.
| Top Paying States for Medical Assistants: |
|---|
| Washington | $25.86 | $53,780 |
| Alaska | $25.25 | $52,530 |
| California | $24.47 | $50,900 |
| Washington, D.C. | $24.09 | $50,110 |
| Minnesota | $23.91 | $49,740 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Salaries by City
CMAs who work in an urban area with a high population can earn more than those who work in less-populated areas. For example, CMAs in Vallejo, CA, earn $66,590, while CMAs in rural Kentucky earn $33,230 on average.
| Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Medical Assistants: |
|---|
| Rochester, MN | $23.36 | $48,580 |
| Bangor, ME | $21.70 | $45,140 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $21.17 | $44,040 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $19.98 | $41,550 |
| Muncie, IN | $19.74 | $41,050 |
| The Villages, FL | $18.54 | $38,570 |
| Macon, GA | $18.36 | $38,180 |
| Sebring, FL | $17.81 | $37,050 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $17.45 | $36,290 |
| Gadsden, AL | $14.93 | $31,060 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Certified Medical Assistant Salaries
Certified medical assistant employers can also have a big impact on salary. Non-patient-care roles offer the most, like jobs with insurance companies and teaching. Working in patient care may offer a lower salary.
| Top-Paying Industries for Medical Assistants: |
|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $26.50 | $55,130 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $24.16 | $50,250 |
| Employment Services | $23.24 | $48,330 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $22.00 | $45,760 |
| Offices of Physicians | $20.29 | $42,200 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $18.01 | $37,460 |
Source: BLS
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Certified Medical Assistant
If a CMA wants to increase their pay, they can try several strategies. Some are as simple as taking on more work, while others involve additional education.
1. Try a New Work Setting
If one work setting doesn’t offer the pay a CMA desires, they can try a new employer. CMAs who work in a doctor’s office, for example, can apply for jobs in the education or consulting sectors to try for a pay boost.
2. Advance to Management
If a CMA can achieve a promotion in their current workplace, it usually involves a pay increase. CMAs can advance to management in their workplace, which would offer the opportunity for a higher salary.
3. Work Extra Shifts
CMAs who work in facilities that offer around-the-clock care can often pick up extra shifts, which can involve bonuses. When these shifts are in the evening, night, weekend, or on a holiday, the pay can be even higher.
4. Earn Additional Certifications
All CMAs can earn additional certifications, like:
These certifications demonstrate a higher level of knowledge and skill and prove a CMA’s dedication to their profession, all of which can result in higher pay.
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Salaries FAQs
1. What roles offer the highest pay for certified medical assistants?
The highest-paying roles for CMAs lie outside of patient care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), scientific research and development services pay their CMAs an average of $55,130 a year. Other non-clinical roles like teaching can also offer higher salaries.
2. What do certified medical assistants make per hour?
Certified medical assistants make an average of $20.84 per hour, according to the BLS, which equals $43,350 a year. These are averages, and the hourly rate can range from $16.11 to $27.15, according to ZipRecruiter.
3. What is the highest a CMA can get paid?
The highest salary reported for CMAs is $56,480, but the national average is $43,350 annually.
4. Where do CMAs get paid the most?
Certified medical assistants can earn the highest salary in Washington, at an average of $25.86 an hour, or $53,780 annually. The top-paying city for CMAs is Vallejo, CA, at $32.01 an hour ($66,590 a year).
