A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) earns a national median of $42,000 per year ($20.20/hour) in 2026, with a full pay range from about $32,000 at the 10th percentile to $58,000+ at the 90th. State, setting (clinic vs. hospital vs. specialty), years of experience, and stacked certifications all move pay meaningfully — and the gap between a starting CCMA in Mississippi and a 5-year CCMA in California can exceed $25,000/year for the same role. Whether you’re researching the ccma salary for the first time or comparing programs, this guide pulls together what matters.
This post breaks down current CCMA salary by state, by setting, and by experience level — plus the three career moves that boost a CCMA’s pay the fastest in the first 24 months.
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Earn your NHA CCMA in 8 weeks online with NHA exam fee, externship at a named partner clinic, and a venipuncture practice kit included. 5 ACE college credits.
National CCMA Salary Snapshot (2026)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks medical assistants under occupation code 31-9092. Current pay distribution:
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15.50 | $32,200 |
| 25th | $17.50 | $36,400 |
| 50th (Median) | $20.20 | $42,000 |
| 75th | $24.00 | $49,900 |
| 90th | $28.00 | $58,200 |
CCMA-credentialed medical assistants typically sit at or above the 50th percentile because employers pay a $1-$3/hour premium for nationally-certified MAs over uncertified ones.
CCMA Salary by State
| State | Median Hourly | Median Annual |
|---|---|---|
| California | $25.00 | $52,000 |
| Massachusetts | $24.00 | $49,900 |
| Washington | $23.50 | $48,900 |
| Alaska | $23.00 | $47,800 |
| New York | $23.00 | $47,800 |
| Connecticut | $22.50 | $46,800 |
| Hawaii | $22.50 | $46,800 |
| Oregon | $22.00 | $45,800 |
| New Jersey | $22.00 | $45,800 |
| Maryland | $21.50 | $44,700 |
Lower-paying states
| State | Median Hourly | Median Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Arkansas | $15.50 | $32,300 |
| West Virginia | $16.00 | $33,300 |
| Alabama | $16.00 | $33,300 |
| Louisiana | $16.50 | $34,300 |
A CCMA in California earns roughly $20,800 more per year than the same credential in Mississippi.
CCMA Salary by Setting
Hospital outpatient + specialty practices (highest pay)
Median: $45,000-$52,000. Specialty clinics (cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, dermatology) tend to pay above generalist primary-care because of the technical scope and higher patient throughput.
Hospital inpatient
Median: $42,000-$48,000. Less common — most hospitals use PCTs (CPCT/A) for inpatient direct-care and CCMAs for outpatient and clinic-based units.
Primary-care offices and FQHCs
Median: $38,000-$44,000. Steady volume, broad clinical and admin scope, often Monday-Friday daytime. FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) sometimes pay 5-10% above private primary-care because of federal grant funding.
Urgent care
Median: $40,000-$46,000. Faster patient turnover, more procedures per shift. Often includes evening and weekend differentials.
Pediatrics
Median: $38,000-$44,000. Similar to primary care; some practices pay slightly less because of higher patient volume but lower acuity.
Pay by Years of Experience
| Years experience | Typical hourly | Typical annual |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 (new CCMA) | $17-$20 | $35,400-$41,600 |
| 2-3 | $19-$23 | $39,500-$47,800 |
| 4-7 | $22-$26 | $45,800-$54,100 |
| 8+ (senior or lead) | $25-$30+ | $52,000-$62,400 |
The single biggest pay jump usually happens between Year 1 (when employers see you as “just trained”) and Year 3 (when you’ve consistently delivered, learned the EHR cold, and started training newer MAs).
What Boosts CCMA Salary the Fastest
After 8 weeks in our CCMA program, graduates typically start at the 25th-50th percentile. The three career moves that boost pay fastest in the first 24 months:
- Stack a phlebotomy certification (CPT). CCMA + CPT lets you handle independent venipuncture and is a $1-$2/hour bump in most outpatient settings.
- Add EKG specialty (CET). Cardiology and primary-care practices pay a premium for MAs trained on 12-lead EKG interpretation basics.
- Move to a specialty practice. Cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, and oncology all pay 10-15% above generalist primary care.
Hospital MA vs Specialty Clinic vs FQHC — Which Pays Most Over 5 Years?
| Setting | Year 1 | Year 3 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty clinic (cardiology, ortho) | $43,000 | $50,000 | $56,000 |
| Hospital outpatient | $41,000 | $48,000 | $54,000 |
| Urgent care (with evening/weekend) | $40,000 | $46,000 | $52,000 |
| FQHC | $39,000 | $45,000 | $50,000 |
| Primary care private practice | $38,000 | $43,000 | $48,000 |
Career Path After CCMA
The most common 2-5 year trajectories from CCMA:
- CCMA → Lead MA / Office Manager: $50-60k median
- CCMA → LPN/LVN: 12-15 month nursing program, $50-55k median
- CCMA → RN (associate’s): 2-year program, $75-85k median entry
- CCMA → PA school: requires bachelor’s degree first, $115-130k median for graduates
- CCMA → Specialty MA (CCMA + Phleb + EKG): $50-58k median in cardiology/orthopedics
Ready to stop studying alone? HealthCerts’ Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program is built around a 8 weeks online course with a guaranteed externship at a named partner clinic — so you walk out with both the credential and the clinical hours employers want.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CCMA make per hour in 2026?
The national median is $20.20/hour ($42,000/year). Range is $15.50 at the 10th percentile to $28.00 at the 90th, with state, setting, and stacked certifications driving most variation.
Which state pays CCMAs the most?
California pays the highest at $25.00/hour median ($52,000/year). Massachusetts, Washington, Alaska, and New York round out the top five.
Do CCMAs earn more than uncertified medical assistants?
Yes — CCMA-certified MAs typically earn $1-$3/hour more than uncertified MAs. Certification typically pays back within 3-4 months on the job.
Do CCMAs earn more than CMAs?
CCMA (NHA) and CMA (AAMA) earn similar pay nationally. The credential matters less than experience and setting. Some employers prefer one over the other based on regional norms.
Can a CCMA make $50,000?
Yes — CCMAs in California, Massachusetts, or NYC, in specialty practices (cardiology, orthopedics), or with 5+ years experience routinely earn $50,000+. About 25% of CCMAs nationally earn over $50,000.
What’s the best-paying CCMA specialty?
Cardiology and dermatology pay the highest median CCMA salaries (often 10-15% above primary care). Oncology and orthopedics are also strong. Specialty practices reward MAs trained in the procedures their physicians perform.
How long does it take to make $25/hour as a CCMA?
Most CCMAs reach $25/hour around years 4-5 in California, Massachusetts, or NYC, or sooner with stacked certifications (CCMA + CPT + EKG) at a specialty practice.
Is CCMA worth it financially?
Yes — the certification typically pays for itself in the first 4-6 months on the job through the certification pay differential, and the credential opens specialty-practice and hospital-outpatient roles that pay 15-25% above uncertified entry-level MA pay.
Start Your CCMA Journey with HealthCerts
Reading about ccma salary is one thing — actually getting credentialed and into a clinical role is another. HealthCerts’ Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program is the fastest, most-supported path: Earn your NHA CCMA in 8 weeks online with NHA exam fee, externship at a named partner clinic, and a venipuncture practice kit included. 5 ACE college credits.
See CCMA tuition, schedule, and what’s included →
Source: National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
For people researching ccma salary, the practical decision points usually come down to three things: cost, time, and credential acceptance. Use the ccma salary framing in the sections above to make each decision in the right order, and remember that ccma salary outcomes scale with the quality of the program you pick.
