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Create ResumeIf you’re wondering how much a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) makes in the USA, the short answer is: $38,000 to $65,000+ per year, with top earners exceeding $68,000 in high-demand roles. Hourly pay typically ranges from $18 to $26, but can reach $32/hour in specialized or urgent care settings. Your actual salary depends heavily on location, experience, employer type, and clinical skillset.
This guide breaks down exactly what CMAs earn, where the highest-paying jobs are, and how to increase your salary strategically.
Certified Medical Assistant salary in the USA:
Entry-level: $38,000–$45,000/year
Mid-level: $45,000–$55,000/year
Experienced: $55,000–$65,000+/year
Top earners: $68,000+
Hourly pay:
Average: $18–$26/hour
High-paying roles: $26–$32/hour
These ranges reflect national averages across hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices.
Your annual salary as a CMA is primarily determined by experience and job setting.
If you’re just starting out (0–2 years experience):
$38,000–$45,000/year
Typically in private practices or general clinics
Limited procedural responsibilities
Recruiter insight: Entry-level CMAs who already have hands-on clinical skills (EKG, phlebotomy) often start closer to the top of this range.
With 2–5 years of experience:
$45,000–$55,000/year
More autonomy in patient care
Average hourly wage:
Higher-paying hourly roles:
Working evenings, weekends, or holidays
Urgent care or high-volume clinics
Float pool or multi-site roles
Overtime hours
Real-world example:
A CMA in urgent care working weekend shifts can earn $4–$6 more per hour than a standard clinic role.
Exposure to EHR systems and workflow coordination
This is where salary growth becomes more skill-dependent than time-based.
At 5+ years:
$55,000–$65,000+
Often includes leadership responsibilities
May supervise junior staff or manage workflows
$68,000+ annually
Found in hospital systems, urgent care, or specialty clinics
Often include overtime and shift differentials
Location plays a major role due to demand and cost of living.
California: $48,000 – $75,000
New York: $45,000 – $70,000
Texas: $38,000 – $60,000
Midwest regions: $38,000 – $58,000
Recruiter insight:
Urban areas and hospital networks consistently pay more than rural private practices.
Not all CMA jobs pay equally. The highest-paying roles combine clinical complexity + high demand + flexibility.
Lead Certified Medical Assistant
Urgent care medical assistant
Hospital outpatient CMA
Specialty clinic CMA (dermatology, cardiology, orthopedics, OB/GYN)
Float pool medical assistant
Clinical coordinator or back-office lead
Higher patient volume
More advanced procedures
Greater responsibility
Scheduling flexibility (evenings/weekends)
Dermatology
Cardiology
Orthopedics
OB/GYN
These roles often require:
Assisting with procedures
Pre-op and post-op care
Specialized patient workflows
Example:
A dermatology CMA assisting with procedures can earn $5,000–$10,000 more annually than a general clinic CMA.
Major cities = higher pay
High patient demand = better hourly rates
Hospital systems → higher pay + benefits
Private practices → lower base but stable schedule
Urgent care → higher hourly with shift premiums
Certified CMAs earn more than non-certified
Advanced certifications increase competitiveness
High-paying CMAs often have:
Phlebotomy
EKG
Injection/vaccine administration
Wound care
Prior authorizations
Systems like Epic significantly increase your value.
Recruiter insight:
Candidates who can navigate EHR efficiently + manage patient flow are prioritized for higher-paying roles.
Nights and weekends = higher hourly rates
Overtime = major income booster
Beyond base salary, CMAs can increase earnings through:
Overtime pay
Shift differentials
Weekend premiums
Sign-on bonuses (in some markets)
Health insurance
Paid time off (PTO)
Retirement plans
Tuition reimbursement
Certification renewal support
Important:
Unlike other healthcare roles, CMAs rarely receive bonuses or stock-based compensation. Earnings are driven by hours worked and role type.
→ Lead Medical Assistant
→ Clinical Team Lead
→ Clinic Supervisor
→ Practice Coordinator / Office Manager
Each step increases both salary and responsibility.
CMA → Urgent Care Specialist
CMA → Specialty Clinic Expert
CMA → Clinical Coordinator
CMA → LPN or RN pathway
Urgent care
Hospital outpatient departments
Specialty clinics
Float pool roles
Focus on:
Phlebotomy
EKG
Injections and vaccines
Specialty procedures
CMA certification
CPR/BLS
These are often required for higher-paying roles.
Especially:
Epic
Cerner
Recruiter insight:
EHR proficiency can be the deciding factor between candidates.
Train new staff
Manage patient flow
Coordinate clinical operations
This positions you for lead roles.
Applying in metro areas can increase salary by 10–20% instantly.
Specializing in a clinical area
Working flexible or high-demand shifts
Building procedural skills
Moving into leadership
Staying in low-volume private practices long-term
Avoiding new responsibilities
Not upgrading skills or certifications
From a hiring perspective, the highest-paid CMAs consistently demonstrate:
Clinical versatility (can handle multiple tasks)
Reliability in high-volume environments
Strong EHR navigation skills
Ability to support both front and back office
Key truth:
Employers pay more for CMAs who reduce workload for the entire team, not just perform basic tasks.
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