If you wish to pursue a career as a medical assistant in Arizona then you will need a high school diploma. If you wish to become fully certified (CMA) then you will need to ensure you attend a fully accredited school. There are currently 2 fully accredited medical assistant schools in Arizona in Tucson and Coolidge.
Certification is not essential but it is generally preferred by employers.
Below you will find information on all the top schools for medical assisting in Arizona and near you as well as information on certification, salary and employment.
Accredited Medical Assistant Schools AZ
| College | Metro Area | Program | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Gateway Community College | Avondale | Certificate | CAAHEP |
| Pima Medical Institute | Phoenix | Certificate | ABHES |
| Pima Medical Institute | Tucson | Certificate | ABHES |
| Pima Medical Institute | Mesa | Certificate | ABHES |
| Sumner College | Mesa | Certificate | ABHES |
| Brookline College | Phoenix | Diploma | ABHES |
| Brookline College | Tempe | Diploma | ABHES |
| Brookline College | Tucson | Diploma | ABHES |
Listed above are the top accredited medical assistant schools in Arizona.
Accreditation may be granted either by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Arizona?
To achieve an associate’s degree (Associate of Applied Science) in medical assisting in Arizona takes a minimum of 5 semesters. You could therefore qualify as a medical assistant in Arizona in less than 2 years.
You might also be interested in checking out the following nearby programs;
- Medical Assistant Schools California
- Medical Assistant Schools in Nevada
- Medical Assistant Utah
- Medical Assistant New Mexico
Medical Assistant Certification AZ
Do medical assistants have to be certified in Arizona?
Certification is not essential for medical assistants in Arizona however it will enhance your employment and career prospects as certification is generally preferred by employers. Certification now is also a safeguard against any future changes in licensing prerequisites or should you wish to work in another state with stricter certification requirements.
Medical assistant certification 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.
Once you are certified you will earn the title of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).
Medical Assistant Salary in Arizona
| Average Salary | $32,840 |
| Hourly Wage | $15.79 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $41,680 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $24,740 |
| #'s Employed | 17,510 |
The average medical assistant salary in Arizona is $32,840 – this is according to data published by the Bureau for Labor Statistics.
This equates to $15.79 per hour and is 2.2% below the national average.
The top 10% of earners for the career in Arizona have an annual income of $41,680 whilst the bottom 10% earned $24,740.
There are currently 17,510 people employed as medical assistants in Arizona.
Overall you will be pleased to know that 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 in the sector between 2016 and 2024. This is much faster than average when compared with other roles in the healthcare industry.
Medical Assistant Careers by Metro Area in Arizona
The highest salaries and the highest number of jobs for medical assistants in Arizona are in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area where salaries are just slightly above the state average.
| Area | Salary | Hourly Wage | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $32,940 | $15.84 | 310 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $31,840 | $15.31 | 440 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale | $33,570 | $16.14 | 12,290 |
| Prescott | $31,490 | $15.14 | 420 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | $32,570 | $15.66 | 190 |
| Tucson | $30,900 | $14.86 | 3,040 |
| Yuma | $29,800 | $14.33 | 360 |
Related Healthcare Careers in Arizona
Medical assistants in Arizona earn 7.8% more than nursing assistants there and 14.3% less than emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
View the table below for more detailed career comparisons.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $32,840 | 17,510 |
| EMT | $38,330 | 3,460 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,470 | 14,300 |
| Surgical Tech | $50,610 | 2,140 |
| Home Health Aide | $23,980 | 15720 |
| Dental Assistant | $39,580 | 7,030 |
| Physician Assistant | $92,270 | 2,340 |