If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant, your professional future involves fulfilling an essential role in healthcare. Medical assistants have a broad range of responsibilities, helping contribute to the successful operation of a healthcare facility – and ensuring that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are able to treat and care for patients effectively. You can work as a medical assistant in many different settings, ranging from private practices to large hospitals and other facilities. It’s a position that is in high demand and one that will always be relevant to today’s healthcare systems. Anytime you decide to pursue a certain career path, you want to be confident that you’re making the right choice for your future – and medical assisting is no different. So, you may have a number of questions about medical assistants, such as:
- What are the best places to work as a medical assistant?
Here is part 3 of our handy guide with the best cities to find a job as a medical assistant. Refer to
part 1 for the top 5 best cities and
part 2 for 10 more of the best cities to work as a medical assistant.
- 8,700 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $50,820
- Average hourly wage: $24.43
- Average 90th percentile salary: $62,560
Seattle is well known as a hub for the high-tech and internet industries, boasting a rapidly growing economy bolstered by respected names like Microsoft and Amazon. However, this flourishing city is also an excellent place to pursue job opportunities in the healthcare field, including those searching for medical assisting jobs.
So, what makes Seattle one of the nation’s best places to work as a medical assistant? First and foremost, the area has several reputable medical centers, including the region’s only Level I trauma hospital, Harborview Medical Center. What’s more, the increasing population has driven an ongoing need for healthcare facilities and providers of all types. But beyond that, Seattle also offers its residents an excellent quality of life and easy access to entertainment, arts and culture, and more.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Seattle metropolitan area includes Tacoma and Bellevue, WA.
- 7,950 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $41,960
- Average hourly wage: $20.17
- Average 90th percentile salary: $57,860
If the Southern California lifestyle appeals to you, San Diego is an outstanding place for new and experienced medical assistants to find work. The area’s beachside location, mild climate, and many attractions have drawn a diverse population of residents and tourists alike, creating an ongoing need for skilled healthcare professionals.
For medical assistants in San Diego, salary ranges have excellent potential. As you gain experience, the earning potential only continues to increase, with the top MAs earning near the $60,000 mark. And of course, on your days off, you can look forward to soaking up the sun and everything else this popular city offers.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the San Diego metropolitan area includes Long Beach and Anaheim, CA.
- 7,710 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $33,870
- Average hourly wage: $16.29
- Average 90th percentile salary: $39,970
Texas has long been touted as one of the U.S. states with an extremely low cost of living, offering highly affordable housing, utilities, healthcare, and the like. As a medical assistant, your salary can go significantly farther in San Antonio than in many other large U.S. cities, but you can still enjoy the big-city lifestyle.
In San Antonio, medical assistant jobs can be found at a wide range of facilities, from the expansive South Texas Medical Center to small, privately-owned clinics and providers. The city has several neighborhoods, each with a distinct personality and many amenities.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the San Antonio metropolitan area includes New Braunfels, TX.
- 7,270 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $51,530
- Average hourly wage: $24.78
- Average 90th percentile salary: $66,960
Sacramento plays an important role in the California healthcare industry, serving as the site of the world-famous UC Davis Medical Center. It is also home to several prestigious US universities and is often described as one of the country’s most diverse cities.
Compared to many other cities, the average salary for medical assistants in Sacramento is relatively high. So, even though the cost of living is somewhat higher in this area, MAs have the earning potential to match. Here, you can explore an array of parks, museums, entertainment venues, restaurants, and unique local businesses of all types.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Sacramento metropolitan area includes Roseville and Arden-Arcade, CA.
- 7,200 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $46,620
- Average hourly wage: $22.41
- Average 90th percentile salary: $53,450
Portland is often recognized for its eclectic vibe, fantastic food scene, and thriving arts community, making it a one-of-a-kind place to live and work. Often known by its nickname, the “Silicon Forest,” due to the high prevalence of technology companies that operate from within the area (more than 1,200 and counting).
The scenic surroundings put you just a short drive away from lush forests and towering waterfalls, and there’s always a great new restaurant to try near you. The comparatively high salary provides an excellent opportunity for medical assistants of all experience levels.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Portland metropolitan area includes Vancouver, WA, and Hillsboro, OR.
- 7,140 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $33,370
- Average hourly wage: $16.04
- Average 90th percentile salary: $40,750
Many people think of Orlando as a dream vacation destination, but it’s also a wonderful place to live. Aside from its more famous (and extra-magical) employers such as Walt Disney World, Orlando also has a health healthcare industry with a steady demand for medical assistants and other healthcare professionals.
The cost of living in Orlando is relatively on par with the national average, and MAs have good earning potential. Despite its large size, the city has maintained a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that is highly tolerant and accepting.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Orlando metropolitan area includes Kissimmee and Sanford, FL.
- 6,500 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $39,340
- Average hourly wage: $18.91
- Average 90th percentile salary: $49,950
Baltimore is typically ranked as one of the most inexpensive options for anyone interested in living in a large, coastal metropolitan area, coming in well below the national average. Rich with history and tens of thousands of historic buildings throughout the city, it is easy to see why Baltimore is a great place to begin your medical assistant career.
MA jobs in Baltimore are plentiful, which is just one of the many reasons we’ve included it on our list of the best places to work as a medical assistant. The earning potential for medical assistants, combined with a low cost of living, offers healthcare professionals a great quality of life.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Baltimore metropolitan area includes Columbia and Towson, MD.
- 6,370 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $45,440
- Average hourly wage: $21.85
- Average 90th percentile salary: $52,980
Four of the eight hospitals in Minneapolis are ranked among the best in the US, earning accolades from industry publications and news sources. Healthcare is an important component of the area’s economy, providing excellent opportunities for recently graduated MAs and those with established work experience.
Living in Minneapolis means reaping the benefits of a well-maintained metropolitan area, including its award-winning parks, arts and culture community, professional sports teams, and more. Despite its bustling city streets, Minneapolis is also a surprisingly scenic place to call home.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Minneapolis metropolitan area includes Bloomington and St. Paul, MN.
- 6,350 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $41,870
- Average hourly wage: $20.13
- Average 90th percentile salary: $51,070
The “Mile High City” proves that the sky’s the limit for medical assistants, providing numerous job opportunities and solid job security across the healthcare industry. The metropolitan area has a multifaceted economy fueled by healthcare and wellness, aerospace, finance, energy, and other sectors, and it’s only continuing to grow stronger.
As a Denver local, you’ll be surrounded by stunning scenery and snow-capped mountains, putting outdoor adventure within easy reach. If you prefer to stay in the city, you can choose from many museums, restaurants, shops, and other attractions, all accessible via public transit. Depending on your preferred lifestyle and budget, you can reside in just about any type of home, from a modern apartment in a towering skyscraper to a quiet bungalow in the suburbs.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Denver metropolitan area includes Lakewood and Aurora, CO.
- 5,880 medical assisting jobs
- Average annual salary: $38,720
- Average hourly wage: $18.61
- Average 90th percentile salary: $45,950
Indianapolis has all the charm of a small town and all the amenities and opportunities of a big city, combined with an extremely affordable cost of living and a thriving job market. Medical assistants can find jobs in the heart of the city or in the suburbs, including at hospitals, clinics, residential care facilities, and physicians’ offices.
The city has been counted among the favorite – and most fun – cities in the US, which is no surprise to longtime locals. Finding things to do in Indianapolis is easy, whether you tend to enjoy fine dining, outdoor activities, arts, and culture, or sports.
Note: For the purpose of this guide, the Indianapolis metropolitan area includes Carmel and Anderson, IN.
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