Medical Administrative Assistant FAQ

No. Medical administrative assistants handle front-office tasks. Medical assistants also do clinical tasks such as taking vitals and giving injections.

It isn’t legally required, but the CMAA or a medical office certificate helps you get hired, especially without healthcare experience.

Some scheduling, referral and authorization roles are remote, especially for large health systems.

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.

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.

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.

It can be, depending on your goals. Employment is projected to change +4.8% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average), with about 89,200 openings each year. Upsides include quick entry: certificates take months, not years; a common challenge is that handling frustrated or anxious patients.

Key technical skills include patient scheduling, insurance eligibility verification, electronic health records (ehr), and medical terminology. Employers also value customer service, multitasking, and attention to detail.

Common credentials include Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS), Medical terminology course, and CPR/BLS. Requirements vary by state and employer.