A Guide to Medical Assisting Education in Utah
The state of Utah is an excellent place to start a career in Medical Assisting, as one of an estimated 8,000 working as Medical Assistants in the state today. [Leer en español]
What they do
Medical Assisting is a veritable occupation, since these skilled workers execute many different functions in a multitude of roles and career capacities. Most of these healthcare pros do their work in small private clinics or in hospital settings. The most common duties include checking in patients, preparing data used for diagnostic evaluation, applying treatments, giving instructions to patients, communicating with physicians, and completing specialized paperwork. They are the staff responsible for preparing examination rooms, equipment, and supplies, and they perform a variety of administrative tasks as well.
The outlook for those in this career field is extremely positive, with some 410 new positions opening each year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a forty percent growth rate in this occupation in the state of Utah in this reporting period alone. Not only is that higher than the national average, it is higher than all but two other states.
Salary
The earnings of Medical Assistants are as variable as the contexts in which they may work. Some factors that will influence earning potential are region, type of facility, specialization (if applicable), credentials, and experience. The current average hourly wage of assistants anywhere in Utah is $14.00 per hour, and average salaries range between $11.00 and $18.00 per hour.
Salaries by Metropolitan Area in Utah
| Area | Total Employed | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan, UT-ID | 220 | $13.22 | $27,490 |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | 1,340 | $13.16 | $27,380 |
| Provo-Orem, UT | 1,200 | $12.92 | $26,880 |
| St. George, UT | 330 | $12.95 | $26,930 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 2,660 | $13.95 | $29,010 |
Requirements
The state of Utah has not passed any legislation to date that mandates any special training or education requirements for this occupation. Medical Assistants do not have to be certified in order to carry out all of the functions the job entails. They are supervised by licensed medical staff and many receive only on-the-job-training. That said, certification does exist and is preferred by employers, many of whom now require certification as a prerequisite for hire.
Attaining Certification
Certainly, those seriously pursuing this field will want to plan to attain certification to increase their marketability and income. The two major certifications recognized by governing agencies are the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) and the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Most often, only those that have graduated from an accredited program are eligible to apply for certification, which is a separate process. The bodies responsible for conferring awards are the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) and the AMT (Association of Medical Technologists). The AMT provides the RMA, which is a national certification. Visit the AAMA or AMT websites to learn the specific requirements.
Popular Schools
College and University Listings
- Eastern Utah nonmetropolitan area
- Logan, UT-ID
- Ogden-Clearfield, UT
- Provo-Orem, UT
- Salt Lake City, UT
- South Western Utah nonmetropolitan area
- St. George, UT
Eastern Utah nonmetropolitan area Area
Uintah Basin Applied Technology College
1100 E Lagoon St 124-5, Roosevelt, Utah 84066Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Uintah Basin Applied Technology College’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is taught at their campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 1,283 students are on short programs of under two years. The school is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are around $2,215 per year. Study materials can cost in the order of $782. Typically, the program is completed in 12 months.
Logan, UT-ID Area
Bridgerland Applied Technology College
1301 North 600 West, Logan, Utah 84321Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Bridgerland Applied Technology College is taught at their campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has roughly 926 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. Bridgerland Applied Technology College is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $3,649 yearly.
Stevens-Henager College
755 S Main St, Logan, Utah 84321Medical Specialties – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Stevens-Henager College is imparted at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. The college has about 95 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. Stevens-Henager College has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $16,968 annually.
Utah State University
Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-1400Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Utah State University’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. Of the 28,622 students, about 100% are postgraduates. Utah State University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* The cost of tuition for students living in the state is around $7,426 and for out-of-state students around $20,492 for each academic year. Books and supplies can cost roughly $810, although this will depend on the program.
Ogden-Clearfield, UT Area
Broadview University-Layton
869 West Hill Field Road, Layton, Utah 84041Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Broadview University is taught at their Layton campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 97 students are on 4-year programs. Broadview University-Layton has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and the program is separately accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*
Davis Applied Technology College
550 E 300 S, Kaysville, Utah 84037-2699Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Davis Applied Technology College is imparted at their campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 3,188 students are on 2-year programs. Davis Applied Technology College is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* Tuition fees are around $343 for each academic year.
Eagle Gate College-Layton
915 N 400 W, Layton, Utah 84041Medical Assisting – Associate Program, Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Eagle Gate College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their Layton campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. The college has round 205 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* The cost of tuition is likely to be in the order of $13,271 for each academic year.
Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College
200 N Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah 84404-4089Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Ogden offers various Certificate program options in Medical Assisting. Classes are taken at their Weber Applied Technology College campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. The majority of of the school’s 2,433 students are on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* Tuition fees are around $3,880 annually.
Stevens-Henager College
1350 W. 1890 S., West Haven, Utah 84401Medical Specialties – Associate Program
Stevens-Henager College’s Associate program is imparted at their campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. The majority of of the school’s 226 students are on 4-year programs. Stevens-Henager College has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. Tuition fees are broadly around $16,968 per year.
Provo-Orem, UT Area
AmeriTech College-Provo
2035 North 550 West, Provo, Utah 84604Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at AmeriTech College is based at their Provo campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. Most of the school’s 73 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 43 credit hours, is the college’s largest program. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $13,791 for each academic year.
Broadview University-Orem
898 N 1200 W, Orem, Utah 84057Medical Assistant – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Broadview University is taught at their Orem campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. The college has in the region of 91 students in total, with most students on 4-year programs. Broadview University-Orem has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, while the program itself is accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.*
Mountainland Applied Technology College
2301 West Ashton Blvd., Lehi, Utah 84043Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Mountainland Applied Technology College offers various Certificate program options in Medical Assisting. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. Most of the school’s 2,117 students are on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is over 80%. Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are around $2,190 per year. Books and supplies can cost in the order of $427. The typical program completion time is 14 months.
Provo College
1450 W 820 N, Provo, Utah 84601Medical Assistant – Associate Program, Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Provo College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage. The college has round 364 students in total, with the majority of students on 4-year programs. Provo College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $13,516 for each academic year.
Stevens-Henager College
1476 Sandhill Road, Orem, Utah 84058Medical Specialties – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Stevens-Henager College is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 189 students are on 4-year programs. Stevens-Henager College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 80%. Fees for tuition are about $16,968 for each academic year.
Salt Lake City, UT Area
AmeriTech College-Draper
12257 South Business Park Drive-Ste 100, Draper, Utah 84020-6545Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
AmeriTech College’s Certificate-level Medical Assistant program is based at their Draper campus in the city of Anchorage. The majority of of the school’s 478 students are on 4-year programs. AmeriTech College-Draper has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $15,698 yearly. Learning materials may cost about $782, although this will vary with the program.
Broadview University-West Jordan
1902 W 7800 S, West Jordan, Utah 84088Medical Assistant – Associate Program, Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Broadview University offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their West Jordan campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. This is a full, 4-year private college with 160 students, of which 97% are undergraduates. Broadview University-West Jordan has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, while the programs are separately accredited by Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* Tuition fees are, as a rough guide, about $14,400 yearly, while books and supplies may cost about $72, although this varies from program to program.
Eagle Gate College-Murray
5588 South Green Street, Murray, Utah 84123-6965Medical Assisting – Associate Program, Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Eagle Gate College offers multiple training options, including an Associate program and a Certificate program. Classes are taken at their Murray campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. Most of the school’s 353 students are on 4-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $14,297 yearly.
Fortis College-Salt Lake City
3949 S 700 E Ste 150, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107Medical Assisting with Basic X-Ray – Certificate Program, Medical Assisting with Basic X-Ray – Associate Program
Fortis College offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. Classes are taken at their Salt Lake City campus in the city of Anchorage. This private, for-profit college has in the order of 368 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* Fees for tuition are broadly about $13,504 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $786, although this will depend on the program.
Ibero College
3448 South 3200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119-2959Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
Ibero College’s Certificate program in Medical Assisting is based at their campus in the city of Anchorage. Most of the school’s 2 students are on short programs of under two years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 860 contact hours, is the college’s largest program. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $10,985 for each academic year.
Independence University
4021 S 700 E Ste 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107Medical Specialties – Associate Program
The Associate’s program at Independence University is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. This is a full, 4-year private college with 6,025 students, of which 95% are undergraduates. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 84%. Tuition fees are around $16,968 annually.
Latter-day Saints Business College
95 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101-3500Medical Assistant – Certificate Program, Medical Assistant – Associate Program
Latter offers multiple training options, including a Certificate program and an Associate program. All programs are based at their day Saints Business College campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. Most of the school’s 2,153 students are on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* Tuition fees are around $3,240 annually. Learning materials may cost around $350, although this will vary with the program.
Salt Lake Community College
4600 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Salt Lake Community College is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. This public college has around 29,350 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The school is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.* The cost of tuition for in-state students is around $3,690 and for out-of-state students in the order of $11,728 per year, while study materials may cost in the order of $1,300, depending on the program.
Stevens-Henager College
383 W Vine St, Murray, Utah 84123-5671Medical Specialties – Associate Program
Stevens-Henager College’s Associate-level Medical Assistant program is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage. Of the 1,125 students, about 6% are postgraduates. The school is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 81%. The cost of tuition is in the order of $16,968 for each academic year.
Tooele Applied Technology College
88 South Tooele Blvd., Tooele, Utah 84074-2093Medical Assistant – Certificate Program
The Certificate program at Tooele Applied Technology College is taught at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. The college has approximately 290 students in total, with most students on 2-year programs. The school has institutional accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education.* The cost of tuition is in the order of $4,680 for each academic year.
South Western Utah nonmetropolitan area Area
Southwest Applied Technology College
757 West 800 South, Cedar City, Utah 84720Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Southwest Applied Technology College’s Certificate program in Medical Assisting is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage, Utah. The majority of of the school’s 509 students are on short programs of under two years. The school is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* Tuition fees for the Medical Assisting program are broadly about $3,116 per year, while study materials may cost in the order of $876. Usually, the program is completed in 12 months.
St. George, UT Area
Dixie Applied Technology College
1506 S. Silicon Way, Saint George, Utah 84770Medical Assisting – Certificate Program
Dixie Applied Technology College offers various Certificate program options in Medical Assisting. Classes are taken at their campus in the city of Anchorage. This public college has about 491 students in total, with the majority of students on programs that last under 2 years. The Medical Assisting program, with a duration of 1049 contact hours, is the college’s largest program. Dixie Applied Technology College is institutionally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.* The cost of tuition is broadly in the order of $3,748 for each academic year.
Stevens-Henager College
720 South River Road, St. George, Utah 84790-2111Medical Specialties – Associate Program
The Associate’s degree program at Stevens-Henager College is offered at their campus in the city of Anchorage, UT. Most of the school’s 166 students are on 4-year programs. Stevens-Henager College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.* The college’s retention rate for full-time students is 100%. The cost of tuition is in the order of $16,968 yearly.
* Tuition fees and accredition status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college before applying.
Other Options
Residents of Utah may also wish to review their options in Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.