Career comparison
Health Information Technologist vs. Medical Administrative Assistant
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Health information technologists earn more at the median ($68,020 vs. $45,930), while medical administrative assistants usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Health information technologists manage the health data that keeps patient records accurate and useful. Medical administrative assistants run the front office of a clinic or hospital unit: scheduling, check-in, insurance and records.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Health Information Technologist | Medical Administrative Assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,020 ($32.70/hr) | $45,930 ($22.08/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,830 – $117,420 | $35,930 – $60,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +15.9% (much faster than average) | +4.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 3,000 | 89,200 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2 years | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | RHIT (AHIMA) | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) |
| Work setting | Technologists work in hospitals, clinics, health systems and some remotely.. | Medical administrative assistants work in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, dental practices and specialty centers. |
What each job does
Health Information Technologist
- Review health records for accuracy
- Manage electronic health record systems
- Analyze health data
- Protect patient privacy
- Release information legally
Medical Administrative Assistant
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, working with information, in-demand, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose health information technologist if…
- I like healthcare without patient care
- I’m detail-oriented
- I like data and computers
Choose medical administrative assistant if…
- I like helping people in person and on the phone
- I can handle several tasks at the same time
- I’m careful with details like names, dates and numbers
Still torn? Take the Health Information Technologist fit quiz and the Medical Administrative Assistant fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, health information technologist or medical administrative assistant?
Health Information Technologists earn more at the median: $68,020 versus $45,930 for medical administrative assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Medical Administrative Assistants typically train faster (3–12 months) than health information technologists (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects health information technologists to grow +15.9% from 2025–35, compared with +4.8% for medical administrative assistants.