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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Medical Assistants

Median Salary
42,000
Job Outlook
+15%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

75%

Private not for profit

16%

State and local government

4%

Self-employed

3%

Federal Government

2%

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 119,800 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$24,590

10%

$42,000

Median

$52,600

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Post-secondary certificate

    44%

  • High school

    20%

  • Some college

    17%

  • Bachelor's degree

    17%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Medical/Clinical Assistant
  • Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist
  • Anesthesiologist Assistant

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Medicine and Dentistry

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Repetitiveness

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.