Medical Assistant
Room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate.
- $45,690
- 9–12 months
Healthcare career
Medical Administrative Assistant
Also called: Medical Secretary · Medical Receptionist · Patient Service Representative · Unit Secretary
What medical administrative assistants do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a medical administrative assistant do?
Medical administrative assistants schedule appointments, check patients in and out, verify insurance, manage electronic health records and keep a healthcare office running smoothly. The median pay is $45,930 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–12 months, and employment is projected to grow +4.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$45,930$22.08/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.8%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year89,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train3–12 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs979,000Employment, 2025
What medical administrative assistants do
Medical administrative assistants are often the first and last person a patient talks to. They answer phones, schedule appointments, register new patients, collect copays, verify insurance and handle referrals and records requests. In hospitals they may work as unit secretaries, coordinating admissions, orders and communication for a nursing unit.
The job combines customer service with medical vocabulary, insurance basics and strict privacy rules. Most employers hire people with a high school diploma, but a short medical office certificate and a credential such as the CMAA make applicants stand out. It is also a common stepping stone to billing and coding, practice management or clinical roles.
Typical duties
- Schedule, confirm and reschedule patient appointments
- Register new patients and update demographic information
- Verify insurance eligibility and obtain prior authorizations
- Collect copays and post payments
- Manage referrals, records requests and faxes
- Maintain electronic health records and patient privacy
- Answer phones and route messages to clinical staff
Work environment and schedule
Medical administrative assistants work in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, dental practices and specialty centers. The work is mostly at a desk and computer, with constant interaction with patients, providers and insurance companies. The front desk can be busy and noisy.
Schedule: Most work full-time during business hours. Urgent care and hospital roles may include evenings, weekends or rotating shifts.
A day in the life
- Open the front desk, log into the EHR and review today’s schedule for missing insurance information.
- Check in morning patients, scan IDs and insurance cards, and collect copays.
- Call insurers to verify eligibility for tomorrow’s new patients.
- Process a records request and send a referral with clinical notes to a specialist.
See a full day in the life of a medical administrative assistant →
Medical Administrative Assistant salary
Half of medical administrative assistants earned more than $45,930 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,930 for the lowest 10% to $60,530 for the top 10%.
Full medical administrative assistant pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a medical administrative assistant
- Finish high school or a GED
- Complete a medical office certificate
- Earn the CMAA
- Get your first front-desk job
- Specialize or advance
A high school diploma is the typical requirement. Many medical administrative assistants complete a medical office or medical administration certificate, which usually takes a few months to a year and covers terminology, EHR use, insurance and office procedures.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a medical administrative assistant →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Patient scheduling
- Insurance eligibility verification
- Electronic health records (EHR)
- Medical terminology
- Payment posting and copays
People skills
- Customer service
- Multitasking
- Attention to detail
- Calm under pressure
All medical administrative assistant skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quick entry: certificates take months, not years
- Steady demand in every community
- Indoor, mostly regular hours
- A path into billing, coding and practice management
Cons
- Handling frustrated or anxious patients
- Juggling phones, check-ins and paperwork at once
- Insurance rules change constantly
- Pay is modest at entry level
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA): National credential from the NHA, widely recognized by clinics and hospitals.
- Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS): NHA credential focused on EHR documentation and management.
- Medical terminology course: A short course that helps you understand orders, notes and referrals.
- CPR/BLS: Some clinics ask front-office staff to be CPR certified.
Career path
- Front Desk or Scheduling Specialist: Learn the office workflow and EHR.
- Medical Administrative Assistant or Unit Secretary: Take on referrals, authorizations and records requests.
- Patient Access Lead or Billing Specialist: Supervise front-office staff or move into revenue cycle work.
- Office Manager or Practice Manager: Run the business side of a practice or clinic.
Learn the job before day one
Our Medical Administrative Assistant training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as schedule a new patient appointment and verify a patient’s insurance eligibility, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Translate medical records into codes and claims so providers get paid correctly.
- $51,140
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Receptionist
Greet visitors, answer phones and keep the front desk running smoothly.
- $38,010
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Administrative Assistant
Keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics.
- $47,540
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Compare: Medical Admin Assistant vs. Medical Assistant · Medical Admin Assistant vs. Medical Coder · Medical Admin Assistant vs. Receptionist · Medical Admin Assistant vs. Administrative Assistant
Medical Administrative Assistant FAQ
Is a medical administrative assistant the same as a medical assistant?
No. Medical administrative assistants handle front-office tasks. Medical assistants also do clinical tasks such as taking vitals and giving injections.
Do you need certification?
It isn’t legally required, but the CMAA or a medical office certificate helps you get hired, especially without healthcare experience.
Can medical administrative assistants work remotely?
Some scheduling, referral and authorization roles are remote, especially for large health systems.
How much does a medical administrative assistant make?
The median annual wage for medical administrative assistants was $45,930 ($22.08 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,930 and the highest 10% earned more than $60,530.
How long does it take to become a medical administrative assistant?
Most people need about 3–12 months of training. A high school diploma is the typical requirement. Many medical administrative assistants complete a medical office or medical administration certificate, which usually takes a few months to a year and covers terminology, EHR use, insurance and office procedures.
Do you need a degree to be a medical administrative assistant?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More medical administrative assistant questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-6013 (Medical secretaries and administrative assistants).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Medical secretaries and administrative assistants (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.