Illinois Medical Assistant Schools and Certification

If you wish to pursue a career as a medical assistant in Illinois (IL) you will need to first complete a high school diploma. In order to become fully certified (CMA) you will also need to have graduated from an accredited medical assistant school.

Certification is not essential in Illinois but it is generally preferred by employers.

Best Medical Assistant Schools in Illinois 2023

Listed below are the top 27 accredited schools offering medical assistant programs in Illinois in 2023.

Accreditation for medical assistant schools in Illinois may be granted either by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Below we look at a selection of the top accredited schools based in the main cities of Chicago, Springfield, Peoria

• Malcolm X College

1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612
T: (312) 850-7207

Malcolm X College is part of the City Colleges of Chicago.  The Medical Assisting Advanced Certificate Program offered at the college can be taken as a day or evening course and can be completed in as little as 3 semesters. The program is available at two campuses in the city – the main campus located at Jackson Blvd and also the West Side Learning Center on W. Madison Street.

The program is accredited by the CAAHEP with graduates eligible to sit national certification exams to become a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) or a Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT).

Admission requirements include an interview with the program director as well as a minimum requirement for maths and English.

• Midwest Technical Institute

There are 3 campuses in Illinois located in Springfield, Peoria and Moline

The Medical Assistant Program at MTI is available as both a full-time day and evening option. However, evening classes are not available at all campuses. The program takes 9 months to complete and includes 265 externship hours.

MTI offers small class sizes with instructors who have relevant real-world experience in the healthcare and medical assisting field.

Once you have completed the program you will be eligible to take the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) national certification exams.

Medical Assistant Certification Illinois

Medical assistant certification (CMA) in Illinois is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Certification is granted following the successful completion of certification exams.

Only graduates of accredited medical assistant programs are eligible to apply to take the certification exams. Applicants are also typically required to complete an unpaid internship as part of the certification process.

Certification is not essential in Illinois but it will certainly enhance a candidate’s employment and career prospects.

Medical Assistant Salary in Illinois

According to the most recent Bureau for Labor Statistics data there are currently 19,890 people employed as medical assistants in Illinois with an average salary of $34,710.

This equates to $16.69 per hour and is 5.7% above the national average.

The top 10% of earners for the career in Illinois have an annual income of $48,540 whilst the bottom 10% earned $23,320.

The demand for medical assistants has been steadily on the increase over the last decade and is projected to grow by a further 29% over the coming years. In fact, it is predicted that an additional 183,900 jobs will be created nationwide in the sector between 2016 and 2024.

Salary and Employment Data for main cities in Illinois

The table below shows the income and employment of medical assistants in the main cities and metro areas in Illinois. The highest salaries and the highest level of employment are both seen in the main Chicago metro areas.

Related Healthcare Careers in Illinois

Medical assistants in Illinois earn 25% more than nursing assistants there and 16.3% less than emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

View the table below for more detailed career comparisons.