Medical Assistant? Salary? Is it worth it?

Generally speaking, a medical assistant program is not a transfer-track program. It's highly vocational and career oriented.

You'd want to talk to the ccs about what their placement rates are for their med asst. program. What percentage of grads get a job in that field within 6, and 12, months of graduation? What is their average salary? The salaries vary from state to state, and even from one area of CA to another, so you need to find out what's up where you are.

Generally speaking, the salaries are okay, but not great. Higher than retail for sure.

If you're interested in medical things and want something that has more demand and pays better than medical assistant does, look at surgical technician, physical therapy assistant, and occupational therapy assistant. All are offered by community colleges.

Talk to some people working as medical assistants and find out what their job is like, realistically. See if it might suit you.

1

In terms of salary, medical assistants make between $10.07 - $17.55 an hour or $21,030 - $37,619 a year.

MAs don't usually get salaries - it's a lower level hourly patient care position. Average hourly wage is about $14.

It's also a career training program so the only classes that will transfer to a four year college will be your GE and prereqs.

If your goal is to transfer, and you don't need patient care hours for something (like a PA degree), getting this credential doesn't make a ton of sense.

Salary is typically minimum wage to $18 an hour. It essentially amounts to a receptionist at a medical office.