How to Become a Medical Assistant in Maryland

Medical assisting can be a rewarding career for detail-oriented people with a genuine interest in others’ well-being. With their clinical and administrative responsibilities, including helping with examinations, administering medications and keeping medical records, medical assistants are an invaluable part of keeping clinics, doctors’ offices and hospitals running smoothly. Those who work in larger settings may choose to focus on either clinical or administrative work, or to specialize in one area of treatment. [Leer en español]

Requirements for Becoming a Medical Assistant in Maryland

No specific training or higher education is required to become a medical assistant in the state. All that is necessary is a high school diploma or equivalent, but employers may ask that prospective medical assistants have completed an accredited training program. Even if an employer does not request prior training, having a diploma or degree in the field is a valuable asset.

Medical Assistant and Educational Programs in Maryland

There are both on-campus and online medical assistant programs available to Maryland students, but not all programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Only graduates of accredited programs are eligible for professional certifications. Make sure you know the status of your program before you register.

Anne Arundel Community College (AACC). AACC, a single-campus college in Arnold, offers both a 60-credit associate’s degree and a 31-credit certificate in medical assisting. At this time, tuition is $112.00 per credit for Anne Arundel County students and $219.00 per credit for residents of other Maryland counties. As Health Manpower Shortage Programs, however, both the degree and certificate programs are currently eligible for tuition reduction.
Cecil College. After completion of a 900-hour diploma program and 160-hour clinical externship, Cecil College students are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Students may receive credit toward an Associate of Healthcare Science degree after obtaining their CMA certification. At this time, the cost per credit is $119.00 for Cecil County residents and $226.00 for other Maryland residents.
Purdue University Global. Purdue University offers a four-term, online medical assistant certificate program, with the opportunity for a 160-hour local externship. At this time, the program costs $21,147. This is not an accredited program; therefore, graduates are not eligible to sit for professional exams.

Certification and Licensing for Medical Assistants in Maryland

While Maryland does not require certification or licenses for medical assistants, those with professional certification are eligible for membership in the AAMA or Association of Medical Technologists (AMT). The Bureau of Labor Statistics website has more information on the exams and their requirements. In order to maintain certification, medical assistants must either re-take the exam or complete a certain amount of continuing education. Recertification is necessary every five years.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The medical assistant profession in Maryland, as in the rest of the United States, is experiencing significant growth. The state of Maryland offers a higher-than-average salary for medical assistants, reflecting the demand and the cost of living in the region. As of 2022, medical assistants in Maryland earn an average annual salary of $39,900, with entry-level positions starting at $31,750 and the top earners making up to $48,920 annually.

National vs. Maryland Salaries for Medical Assistants

Location	Average Salary	Low (10%)	High (90%)
United States	$38,270	$30,390	$51,710
Maryland	$39,900	$31,750	$48,920

Salaries and Percentiles by Region in Maryland

Region	Low (10%)	Median	High (90%)
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$31,970	$39,900	$47,640
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$34,500	$44,680	$56,900
Salisbury, MD-DE	$30,190	$35,780	$43,900

Medical Assistant Trends in Maryland

In 2020, Maryland employed 16,480 medical assistants. This number is projected to grow to 18,460 by 2030, marking a 12% increase in employment within this period. This growth rate is slightly below the national average growth rate for medical assistants, which is projected at 14% from 2022 to 2032. Annually, Maryland is expected to have 2,220 job openings for medical assistants from 2020 to 2030, which includes openings due to growth and replacements for vacated positions. This data underscores the consistent demand for medical assistants in Maryland, reflecting broader trends in healthcare employment across the state.

Employment Trends

Employment Trends for Medical Assistants in Maryland
Indicator	2020	2030	Projected Growth	Annual Openings
Employment	16,480	18,460	12%	2,220

Sources of data:

Maryland Data: The employment figures and projections for Maryland are sourced from Projections Central, specifically their 2020-2030 long-term projections. Projections Central specializes in state-level employment projections, providing detailed insights into various occupations.
United States Data: The national employment statistics and projections are obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), particularly their 2022-2032 employment projections.

Working as a Medical Assistant in Maryland

Maryland regulates the scope of practice of its medical assistants. Some of the responsibilities you may find assigned to you are patient preparation for physical exams, pregnancy tests, some clinical tests and certain laboratory tests. More information can be found on the Maryland Society of Medical Assistants website.

As with other states, larger cities in Maryland are some of the best places to find work as a medical assistant. This may include cities like Bethesda, Baltimore and Hagerstown. However, there will be positions to be found across the state. For those interested in furthering their career in health care, having experience as a medical assistant can open up possibilities in health care technology, nursing and other medical fields. With health care always in demand, this growing field may hold the right career for you.

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FAQs

How much do medical assistants earn in the state of Maryland?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants in the state of Maryland made an average of $37,530 per year in 2021. Entry-level medical assistants earned around $29,520 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $48,310.