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Medical Assisting in Pennsylvania

With a large population of over 12 million, Pennsylvania has a booming healthcare industry and plenty of medical assisting jobs. The employment level for all types of medical assistants is high – 26,490 people in Pennsylvania currently work in this profession.

Certified medical assistants are more likely to be hired for the best positions and to earn higher salaries. For this reason, it is advisable to complete your education on a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited training program that enables you to sit for a nationally recognized certification exam. There is no state requirement in Pennsylvania for general, administrative or clinical medical assistants to be licensed, but doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities often prefer to hire CMAs or RMAs.

Medical assistant pay in Pennsylvania is close to the nationwide average at an hourly rate of $14.71 or an annual wage of $30,590.

The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) affiliate for the state is the Pennsylvania Society of Medical Assistants, with local chapters in the following areas:

  • Allegheny
  • Beaver
  • Blair
  • Cambria
  • Erie
  • Lehigh
  • Tri-County

Pennsylvania Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

South Hills School of Business and Technology

With campuses located in State College, Altoona and Lewiston, South Hills School of Business and Technology offers an Associate in Specialized Business (ASB) degree in medical assisting where students can learn how to perform all aspects of the clerical and clinical duties needed in a medical assisting career. This 2 year program is ABHES accredited, which means that students can apply to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination on completion of their training.

Degree

  • Length: 23 months
  • Cost: $37,763
  • Job Placement Rate: 100%

Fortis Institute

Fortis Institute has campuses in Erie, Scranton and Forty Fort where students can get their medical assistant education on a diploma training program. Students will learn a mix of theory and hands on practical skills that will prepare them for employment in an entry level medical assisting position.

Diploma

  • Length: 36 weeks
  • Cost: $14,844
  • Job Placement Rate: 100%

Central Penn College

Central Penn College, located in Summerdale, runs an Associate of Applied Science degree program in medical assisting. The program is CAAHEP accredited. Central Penn offers students the flexibility of either choosing to attend day classes or a hybrid combination of evening and online classes.

Degree

  • Length: 18 months
  • Cost: $29,772
  • Job Placement Rate: 57%