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Are you among those who have just completed their medical assistant program and received their certificate of completion? And now, scrolling through job boards, wondering, “What positions can I actually apply for now?”

Or are you someone who is still exploring career options before enrolling in any MA program, just to confirm whether this career is worth pursuing in the first place? No matter which stage you are in, this guide is designed to answer all your questions regarding entry-level jobs that can start with medical assistant training, including;

• What entry-level jobs are available after medical assistant training?

• How much do medical assistants pay?

• Are entry-level medical assistant jobs available in California?

Instead of spending hours jumping between websites trying to piece together information, you will find everything in one place here. This guide covers the most common entry-level positions, salary expectations, career growth opportunities, and the career paths available after graduation.

1. Medical Assistant (Clinical & Administrative)

The foundational entry-level medical assistant job is the most direct use of your training.

What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

In a clinical setting, a medical assistant’s scope of work covers almost everything except the responsibilities reserved exclusively for the physician. Their clinical responsibilities may include measuring vital signs, preparing patients and exam rooms, assisting healthcare providers during examinations, collecting specimens, and performing blood draws. Medical assistants are also trained to run CLIA-waived lab tests and report results to the physician, making them a critical part of the diagnostic process.

On the administrative side, their duties often involve scheduling appointments, updating electronic health records, managing patient information, and communicating with patients. This dual role makes MAs uniquely versatile in any healthcare setting. They can work in physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, specialty practices, urgent care centers, and hospitals.

Medical Assistant Salary

According to the, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $44,200 in May 2024, which works out to approximately $21.25 per hour. Remember, the actual salary can also vary depending on the type of medical assistant role you pursue.

a) Based on Responsibility

Clinical Medical Assistant

If you are specifically interested in clinical patient-care duties, ZipRecruiter reports that the average annual salary for a Clinical Medical Assistant in the United States is approximately . This works out to about $20.45 per hour, $818 per week, or $3,545 per month.

Medical Administrative Assistant

On the administrative side, professionals who focus on scheduling, patient records, billing, insurance verification, and other office operations may earn slightly more. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a Medical Administrative Assistant in the United States is approximately , or about $21.38 per hour, $855 per week, and $3,705 per month.

b) Based on Industry

c) Based on Location (State)

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Job Outlook

Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 12% (much faster than average) from 2024 to 2034. That translates to approximately 112,300 job openings per year throughout the decade.

2. Medical Receptionist

The entry-level role that uses your administrative MA training from day one.

What Does a Medical Receptionist Do?

Medical receptionists are the first point of contact for patients walking into a clinic or physician’s office. Their responsibilities include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, processing co-payments, answering phones, and managing patient flow. Your MA training in medical terminology, EMR software, and patient communication makes you a strong candidate for this role even without prior experience.

Medical Receptionist Salary

According to the , this medical assistant career path of medical receptionists in the United States earns an average of $37,886 per year, or $18.21 per hour.

States With The Highest Pay For Medical Receptionist Jobs

NOTE: Think a Medical Assistant and a Medical Receptionist are the same role? Not quite. While both work in healthcare settings, their responsibilities, training, and day-to-day duties can differ significantly. Read our guide, Medical Assistant vs. Medical Receptionist, to learn the key differences and discover which career path best aligns with your goals.

3. Medical Secretary

What Does a Medical Secretary Do?

A Medical Secretary is responsible for managing the administrative and communication tasks that keep a healthcare facility organized and running efficiently. They serve as a key point of contact for patients, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other medical staff, ensuring that appointments, records, and daily office operations are handled smoothly.

Medical Secretary Salary

According to , the average base salary for a Medical Secretary in the United States is approximately $41,274 per year in 2026, which works out to about $21.58 per hour and $1,000 weekly.

4. Patient Care Technician

What Does a Patient Care Technician Do?

This certified medical assistant career path provides direct, hands-on support to patients under the supervision of nurses and other healthcare professionals. Their primary focus is helping patients with daily care needs, monitoring their condition, and ensuring their comfort throughout treatment and recovery.

Patient Care Technician Salary

According to as of June 2026, the average annual pay for a Patient Care Technician in the United States is $38,476. That works out to approximately $18.50 per hour, $739 per week, or $3,206 per month.

Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Patient Care Technician Jobs

NOTE: Not sure whether a Patient Care Technician (PCT) career is the better fit for you? Read our guide, Medical Assistant vs. Patient Care Technician: What’s the Difference?, to determine why it aligns best with your healthcare career goal.

5. Medical Scribe

What Does a Medical Scribe Do?

A Medical Scribe is responsible for documenting patient encounters in real time while a healthcare provider focuses on patient care. They serve as the physician’s documentation specialist, ensuring that medical records are accurate, complete, and up to date.

Medical Scribe Salary

According to , the average annual pay for a Medical Scribe in the United States is $37,989 a year. This is equivalent to $18.26/hour, $730/week, and $3,165/month.

Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Medical Scribe Jobs

6. Health Information Clerk

What Does a Health Information Clerk Do?

A Health Information Clerk is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and managing patient health records to ensure medical information remains accurate, secure, and easily accessible to authorized healthcare professionals. Their work helps healthcare facilities stay compliant with privacy regulations while supporting efficient patient care.

Health Information Clerk Salary

The average annual pay for a Health Information Clerk in the United States is $40,513, according to data from June 2026. On an hourly basis, that’s about $19.48, with average weekly earnings of $779 and average monthly earnings of $3,376.

Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Health Information Clerk Jobs

7. Phlebotomist

What Does a Phlebotomist Do?

This certified medical assistant career path is a healthcare professional who specializes in drawing blood from patients for laboratory testing, blood donations, transfusions, and medical research.

Common responsibilities of a phlebotomist include:

• Drawing blood using venipuncture and capillary collection techniques
• Verifying patient identity and explaining procedures
• Labeling and handling blood specimens accurately
• Preparing samples for laboratory testing
• Following infection control and safety protocols
• Maintaining collection equipment and supplies
• Recording patient information and specimen details

Phlebotomist Salary

According to the , the median annual wage for phlebotomists in the United States was $43,660, which equals approximately $20.99 per hour.

Phlebotomist Job Outlook

The job outlook for phlebotomists remains strong. Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS also estimates that approximately 18,400 phlebotomist job openings will be available each year, on average, throughout the decade.

Industries With The Highest Levels Of Employment For Phlebotomists

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8. Medical Laboratory Assistant

What Does a Medical Laboratory Assistant Do?

A Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) supports laboratory professionals by collecting, preparing, processing, and organizing patient specimens for testing. While laboratory technologists and technicians perform many of the complex analyses, medical laboratory assistants help ensure that samples are handled accurately and efficiently throughout the testing process.

Medical Laboratory Assistant Salary

The average Medical Laboratory Assistant salary in the United States is approximately $51,135 annually, or $24.58 per hour.

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Conclusion

You now have a clear picture of the entry-level jobs available after medical assistant training, along with the responsibilities and salary expectations associated with each role. Take some time to identify the positions that best match your interests, strengths, and long-term goals, then start applying with confidence. You can also read our guide on how to build a strong resume as a medical assistant student, to learn how to highlight your training, skills, and externship experience in a way that catches employers’ attention and increases your chances of landing interviews.

Also, if the variety of opportunities has convinced you that this is the right career path, the next step is getting the right training if you haven鈥檛 completed it yet. The 7-month Online Medical Assistant Program at 抖阴视频 can help you build the skills employers are looking for, while preparing you for real-world healthcare environments through hands-on externship experience.