If a career as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania (PA) strongly appeals to you then you will be happy to know that the demand for MA’s 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.
How to become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania;
If you wish to pursue a career as a medical assistant in Pennsylvania 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 program. Certification is not essential but it is generally preferred by employers.
- Top medical assistant programs in PA
- PA certification and licensing requirements
- Medical assistant salary PA
- Salary and employment data by metro area
- Explore related careers in Pennsylvania
Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in Pennsylvania – 2023
| College | Metro Area | Accreditation | Program Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Altoona Career and Technical Center | Altoona | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| South Hills School of Business & Technology | Altoona | ABHES | Visit Site |
| Butler County Community College | Butler | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| Institute of Medical and Business Careers | Erie | ABHES | Visit Site |
| United Career Institute | Irwin | ABHES | Visit Site |
| Delaware County Community College | Media | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| Institute of Medical and Business Careers | Pittsburgh | ABHES | Visit Site |
| Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology | Pleasant Gap | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| Lackawanna College | Scranton | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| South Hills School of Business & Technology | State College | ABHES | Visit Site |
| Central Penn College | Summerdale | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| Community College of Allegheny County | West Mifflin | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
| PITC Institute | Wyncote | ABHES | Visit Site |
| Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood | CAAHEP | Visit Site |
Listed above are the top 14 accredited medical assistant programs in Pennsylvania.
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).
Medical Assistant Certification Pennsylvania
Medical assistant certification (CMA) is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Certification is granted following the successful completion of certification exams.
Only graduates of accredited MA 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 Pennsylvania but it will certainly enhance a candidates employment and career prospects.
Medical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania
How much do medical assistants make in PA?
According to the most recent Bureau for Labor Statistics data there are currently 28,260 people employed as MAs in Pennsylvania with an average salary of $31,980.
| Average Salary | $31,980 |
| Hourly Wage | $15.38 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $42,310 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $23,200 |
| #'s Employed | 28,260 |
This equates to $15.38 per hour and is 2.6% below the national average.
The top 10% of earners for the career in Pennsylvania have an annual income of $42,310 whilst the bottom 10% earned $23,200.
Salary and Employment Data for main cities in Pennsylvania
| Area | Salary | Hourly Wage | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $33,330 | $16.03 | 2,180 |
| Altoona | $27,330 | $13.14 | 450 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick | $31,200 | $15.00 | 170 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro | $31,170 | $14.99 | 400 |
| East Stroudsburg | $29,260 | $14.07 | 290 |
| Erie | $28,170 | $13.54 | 690 |
| Gettysburg | $31,290 | $15.04 | 100 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $31,980 | $15.38 | 1,560 |
| Johnstown | $29,000 | $13.94 | 280 |
| Lancaster | $32,550 | $15.65 | 880 |
| Lebanon | $32,110 | $15.44 | 150 |
| Montgomery County-Bucks County-Chester County | $35,270 | $16.96 | 4,470 |
| Philadelphia | $32,910 | $15.82 | 4,420 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $34,460 | $16.57 | 14,240 |
| Pittsburgh | $30,590 | $14.71 | 6,590 |
| Reading | $31,610 | $15.20 | 890 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton | $31,920 | $15.35 | 1,000 |
| State College | $32,370 | $15.56 | 190 |
| Williamsport | $30,480 | $14.65 | 130 |
| York-Hanover | $32,330 | $15.54 | 1,140 |
Related Healthcare Careers in Pennsylvania
Medical assistants in Pennsylvania earn 6.6% more than nursing assistants there and 3.7% less than emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
View the table below for more detailed career comparisons.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $31,980 | 28,260 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,010 | 75,020 |
| EMT | $33,200 | 12,060 |
| Home Health Aide | $25,170 | 34740 |
| Surgical Tech | $44,080 | 3,890 |
| Dental Assistant | $37,870 | 10,930 |
| Physician Assistant | $96,450 | 6,080 |