State salary and training guide
Medical Assistant Salary and Career Path in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania medical assistants support outpatient clinics, hospital systems, specialty practices, community health centers, and university-affiliated care across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, the Lehigh Valley, and rural markets. The state combines legacy healthcare institutions with strong demand for patient-facing support roles.
Key Stats for medical assistants in Pennsylvania
- National median salary: $44,200/year (BLS OOH 2024)
- Pennsylvania mean wage: $42,090/year (BLS OEWS May 2023) — State OEWS rows publish mean wages, not state medians.
- PA employment estimate: 24,250 (BLS OEWS May 2023)
- PA location quotient: 0.81 (BLS OEWS May 2023)
- PA hourly mean: $20.24/hr (BLS OEWS May 2023)
- Entry-level timeline: 9–12 months (Certification-program estimate)
Salary figures are for all workers in the occupation, not entry-level pay. Entry-level salaries typically start lower, and local employer requirements vary.
What medical assistants do in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania medical assistants support outpatient clinics, hospital systems, specialty practices, community health centers, and university-affiliated care across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, the Lehigh Valley, and rural markets. The state combines legacy healthcare institutions with strong demand for patient-facing support roles.
In Pennsylvania, medical assistants usually blend clinical support with administrative tasks: taking vitals, preparing exam rooms, updating EHR notes, coordinating appointments, and helping patients navigate care. Credential preferences vary by employer, but CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), and CCMA (NHA) are common certification names to understand.
- Hospital networks: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh health systems create clinic, specialty, and ambulatory-care support roles.
- Community care: Federally qualified health centers and rural clinics may value broad front-office and clinical flexibility.
- Training bridges: Medical assisting can support moves toward nursing, billing, coding, phlebotomy, or allied-health tracks.
Start with the Medical Assistant career guide.
Medical Assistant Salary Breakdown in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's verified BLS OEWS row reports a mean annual wage of $42,090 and employment of 24,250 for SOC 31-9092. Use that as a market benchmark, not a promise of pay.
The national BLS OOH median for medical assistants is $44,200/year or $21.25/hour for May 2024. State pages keep that national median separate from May 2023 state mean wage rows.
| Area | Mean Annual Wage | Employment Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania statewide | $42,090 | 24,250 | BLS OEWS May 2023 state mean wage. |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $44,990 | 12,720 | Metro row spans PA-NJ-DE-MD and is useful for southeastern PA context. |
| Pittsburgh | $40,660 | 4,990 | Major western Pennsylvania healthcare market. |
How to become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
- Learn clinical and administrative foundations
Start with anatomy terms, infection control, vitals, injections, EHR workflow, appointment scheduling, and patient communication.
- Compare CMA, RMA, and CCMA certification routes
Employers may prefer CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA), but credential requirements vary by workplace and state.
- Practice patient-facing communication
Pennsylvania employers often value clear documentation, bilingual communication where relevant, and calm clinical support in busy outpatient settings.
- Use the role as a healthcare entry point
Medical assisting can be a direct career path or a bridge toward nursing, health information, billing, coding, or specialty clinic roles.
Top employer settings in Pennsylvania
- Primary-care and specialty clinics
- Urgent-care centers and outpatient networks
- Hospitals and integrated health systems
- Community health centers and private practices
Start your Medical Assistant training path
Course links
- Medical Assistant Certification Prep — Part 1 — Certification-oriented foundation for CMA, RMA, and CCMA pathways ($49)
- AI for Medical Coders — Healthcare workflow and documentation literacy in AI-assisted settings ($69)
- CPT Coding: Basic Principles — Billing and coding context useful for front-office medical assistant roles ($49)
- Explore Medical Assistant courses — See training options mapped to the medical assistant path
Related guides
- MA vs CNA comparison — Compare medical assistant and CNA work before choosing a path.
- Best healthcare certifications — Review beginner healthcare credentials and AI-resilient roles.
- Medical assistant salary guide — See the national medical assistant salary guide and 50-state table.
Compare medical assistant salary in other states
- Compare to California — Medical Assistant salary and training context in California
- Compare to Florida — Medical Assistant salary and training context in Florida
- Compare to New York — Medical Assistant salary and training context in New York
- Compare to Texas — Medical Assistant salary and training context in Texas
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical assistants make in Pennsylvania?
BLS OEWS May 2023 reports a Pennsylvania mean wage of $42,090 per year for medical assistants. This is a mean wage for all workers, not promised entry-level pay.
Which certifications matter for medical assistants in Pennsylvania?
CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), and CCMA (NHA) are common medical assistant credentials. Employers decide what they prefer or require.
How long does medical assistant training take in Pennsylvania?
Many certificate-oriented medical assistant paths take about 9–12 months, though timelines vary by school, schedule, and clinical requirements.
Is medical assisting growing?
Yes. BLS projects 12% national growth for medical assistants from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average.
Sources and salary notes
SOC 31-9092.00. Salary figures are for all workers in the occupation, not entry-level pay. Entry-level salaries typically start lower, and local employer requirements vary. Last updated: 2026-05-14. Next review: 2026-06-14.
- BLS OEWS May 2023 — Medical Assistants — May 2023. State mean wages, employment estimates, and metro wage rows.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Medical Assistants — May 2024. National median pay, employment, growth projection, and openings.