CCMA Salary in 2026: How Much Do Certified Medical Assistants Make?
CCMA pay: BLS reports a $45,690 national median for medical assistants (May 2025), with state and specialty driving most of the variation. Plus the three moves that boost a CCMA salary fastest.
Medical assistants (the BLS group that includes CCMA-credentialed medical assistants) earned a national median of $45,690 per year ($21.97/hour) in May 2025 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with about $36,050 at the 10th percentile and $59,310 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.
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.
Want a faster path to your CCMA?
Earn your NHA CCMA in as little as 8 weeks online. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) + Externship includes the NHA exam voucher, externship placement and a venipuncture practice kit; Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is coursework only. 5 ACE college credits.
National CCMA Salary Snapshot (BLS, May 2025)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks medical assistants under occupation code 31-9092 and does not report wages by credential. May 2025 pay distribution for all medical assistants:
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.33 | $36,050 |
| 25th | $18.50 | $38,470 |
| 50th (Median) | $21.97 | $45,690 |
| 75th | $23.65 | $49,180 |
| 90th | $28.52 | $59,310 |
In NHA's 2025 Industry Outlook survey, over 70% of employers said they increase pay when an employee earns a professional certification.
CCMA Salary by State
Highest-paying states (BLS May 2025 median annual wage)
| State | Median Hourly | Median Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $28.50 | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $25.27 | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $24.54 | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $24.27 | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $24.24 | $50,410 |
| California | $23.88 | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $23.78 | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $23.40 | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $23.27 | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $23.27 | $48,400 |
Lower-paying states
| State | Median Hourly | Median Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| Alabama | $17.36 | $36,100 |
| Louisiana | $17.46 | $36,320 |
| West Virginia | $17.88 | $37,180 |
| Arkansas | $18.15 | $37,760 |
Washington paid about $23,930 more per year at the median than Mississippi (about 68% more), before any cost-of-living adjustment.
CCMA Salary by Setting
BLS publishes medical assistant wages by industry (offices of physicians, hospitals, outpatient care centers and others); check the current industry table in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the setting you are targeting. BLS does not report wages by clinical specialty.
Pay by Years of Experience
BLS does not publish wages by years of experience. The spread from the 10th percentile ($36,050) to the 90th percentile ($59,310) shows how much pay varies across all medical assistants; pay typically rises as you take on more responsibility, such as training newer staff and mastering the EHR.
What Boosts CCMA Salary the Fastest
BLS does not report wages by skill, credential or clinical specialty. Compare the credential, lawful duties and compensation in current local job requirements.
Career Path After CCMA
The most common 2-5 year trajectories from CCMA:
- CCMA → Lead MA / Office Manager
- CCMA → LPN/LVN: 12-15 month nursing program
- CCMA → RN (associate’s): 2-year program
- CCMA → PA school: requires a bachelor’s degree first
- CCMA → Specialty MA (CCMA + Phleb + EKG)
Ready to stop studying alone? HealthCerts’ Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program is built around fully online, self-paced coursework that can be completed in 8 weeks, with externship placement — 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?
BLS reports a national median of $21.97/hour ($45,690/year) for medical assistants in May 2025, with $17.33 at the 10th percentile and $28.52 at the 90th; state, setting and experience drive most variation.
Which state pays medical assistants the most?
In BLS May 2025 data, Washington paid the highest median at $59,290; Alaska, District of Columbia, Minnesota, Oregon followed.
Do CCMAs earn more than uncertified medical assistants?
BLS does not report wages by certification. In NHA's 2025 Industry Outlook survey, over 70% of employers said they increase pay when an employee earns a professional certification.
Do CCMAs earn more than CMAs?
BLS reports one wage distribution for all medical assistants; compare the credential, lawful duties and compensation in current local job requirements.
Can a CCMA make $50,000?
BLS May 2025: the 75th percentile for medical assistants was $49,180 and the 90th percentile $59,310, so $50,000 is reachable for experienced medical assistants and in higher-paying states.
What’s the best-paying setting?
BLS publishes medical assistant wages by industry; check the current industry table for offices of physicians, hospitals and outpatient care centers.
Is CCMA worth it financially?
Compare your program cost with the median wage in your state; Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) + Externship at HealthCareer CERTS is $2,700 and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is $1,199.
Start Your CCMA Journey with HealthCerts
Reading about it 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, and a venipuncture practice kit included. 5 ACE college credits.
See CCMA tuition, schedule, and what’s included →
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (31-9092 Medical Assistants); NHA 2025 Industry Outlook for the employer survey figure.
Shahnaz Ghassemi Ph.D., is a co-founder of HealthCareerCerts and a dedicated educator, scientist, and workforce development leader. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and brings extensive experience as both an educator and a research scientist in industry. As a co-leader of HealthCareerCerts, Shahnaz is deeply committed to making healthcare education accessible through affordable, flexible, and high-quality learning pathways. She works closely with academic institutions, healthcare partners, and workforce organizations to deliver certification programs that are practical, inclusive, and directly aligned with real-world healthcare needs. Since co-founding the organization, she has played a key role in building strategic partnerships that expand impact and opportunity, helping learners across the country gain essential skills, confidence, and meaningful careers in healthcare. Seeing hundreds of students thrive within the supportive learning community she helps lead continues to inspire and drive her mission forward.
