A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) earns a national median of $42,500 per year ($20.40/hour) in 2026, with a range from about $32,000 at the 10th percentile to $58,000+ at the 90th. CMA pay is functionally identical to CCMA pay — the credential issuer (AAMA vs. NHA) doesn’t move the wage; state, setting, experience, and stacked certifications do. Whether you’re researching the certified medical assistant salary for the first time or comparing programs, this guide pulls together what matters.
This post breaks down current CMA salary by state, by setting, by experience level, and by specialty — with the same kind of analysis we covered for CCMA salary, since the two credentials track together in the labor market.
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For students researching certified medical assistant salary options, the practical reality is that the right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and target employer. Many candidates start their certified medical assistant salary research with general questions and narrow down as they understand which credentials each setting accepts. Treat certified medical assistant salary reviews as a comparison exercise, not a single decision.
National CMA Salary (2026) — Certified Medical Assistant Salary
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $15.50 | $32,200 |
| 25th | $17.50 | $36,400 |
| 50th (Median) | $20.40 | $42,500 |
| 75th | $24.00 | $49,900 |
| 90th | $28.00 | $58,200 |
These figures track closely with overall medical assistant pay (BLS code 31-9092), reflecting how widely CMA, CCMA, and RMA credentials are accepted by employers.
CMA 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 |
CMA Salary by Setting
Specialty practices (highest pay)
Median: $45,000-$52,000. Cardiology, dermatology, oncology, orthopedics tend to pay above generalist primary care because of higher patient throughput and specialty-specific procedures.
Hospital outpatient
Median: $42,000-$48,000. Often more administrative scope; somewhat above primary care.
Urgent care
Median: $40,000-$46,000. Higher patient turnover with evening/weekend differentials.
Primary care + FQHCs
Median: $38,000-$44,000. Steady volume, broad scope, often Monday-Friday daytime.
Pediatrics
Median: $38,000-$44,000. Similar to primary care.
Pay by Years of Experience
| Years | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 (new CMA) | $17-$20 | $35,400-$41,600 |
| 2-3 | $19-$23 | $39,500-$47,800 |
| 4-7 | $22-$26 | $45,800-$54,100 |
| 8+ (lead/senior) | $25-$30+ | $52,000-$62,400 |
Biggest pay jump usually between Year 1 and Year 3 — once you’ve mastered the practice’s EHR and workflows.
What Boosts CMA Salary the Fastest
The same playbook that works for CCMAs:
- Stack a phlebotomy certification (CPT) — $1-$2/hour bump
- Add EKG specialty (CET) — premium in cardiology and primary-care
- Move to a specialty practice — 10-15% above primary care
- Bilingual capability — $1-$3/hour bump in many markets
CMA vs CCMA — Same Pay?
Yes — most employers don’t differentiate between CMA (AAMA), CCMA (NHA), and RMA (AMT). The credentials are functionally interchangeable in most labor markets. Choose based on which exam pathway your training program supports and which credential is most common in your target market.
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 CMA make per hour?
National median is $20.40/hour ($42,500/year) in 2026. Range $15.50-$28.00.
Which state pays Certified Medical Assistants the most?
California at $25.00/hour median ($52,000/year). MA, WA, AK, NY round out the top five.
Do CMAs and CCMAs make the same?
Yes — pay is similar nationally. State, setting, and stacked certifications drive more variation than which specific credential you hold.
Can a CMA make $50,000?
Yes — in California, Massachusetts, NYC at the 75th percentile, in specialty practices, or with 5+ years experience.
What’s the best-paying medical assistant specialty?
Cardiology and dermatology pay highest median CMA salary (10-15% above primary care). Oncology and orthopedics are also strong.
Is CMA worth it financially?
Yes — certification typically pays for itself within 3-4 months on the job through the certification pay differential.
Does AAMA CMA pay more than NHA CCMA?
No — they pay functionally the same. Some academic medical centers prefer AAMA CMA but don’t typically pay more for it.
How long to reach $25/hour as a CMA?
Most CMAs reach $25/hour around years 4-5 in California, Massachusetts, or NYC, or sooner with stacked certifications at specialty practices.
Start Your CCMA Journey with HealthCerts
Reading about certified medical assistant 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.
