Medical Assistant Schools and Salaries in California

Medical assisting schools and programs are available in several different educational venues in California, including career colleges, community colleges and vocational schools.
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Updated June 27, 2023

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Programs, Certifications, Earnings & Job Growth

Medical assistants are in great demand in California, with double-digit job growth expected well into the current decade. Medical assistant schools and programs are available in several different educational venues in California, including career colleges, community colleges and vocational schools. Several of these schools and programs even offer an online option. While medical assistant salaries vary depending on the area, the hourly median wage in California is almost $2 more than the national wage.

If joining a growing field in a busy state sounds like a good plan, find out what's required to join the ranks of medical assistants in California, including education, certification and more.

Best Schools for a Medical Assistant Degree in California

OUR METHODOLOGY

To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria:

  • Accredited at the institutional level
  • Private nonprofit or public school
  • Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in medical assisting

Schools were then scored on factors such as:

  • Cost & Financial Aid
  • Number and variety of program offerings
  • Student-teacher ratios
  • Placement and support services offered
  • Academic/Career counseling services
  • Employment services
  • Loan default rates

These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or "bang for your buck" of a college or degree program.

When looking for a career in health care in California, a degree in medical assisting can get you on the right track. You'll work with patients, taking medical histories, checking vital signs and performing other routine tasks in a professional health care office or hospital. But it's important to do the research to find the program that meets your career goals and provides the best education possible. To help, we created our list of the Best Schools for Medical Assisting in California, ranked for class size, programs available, cost and other factors. See who made the cut below.

  1. Santa Rosa Junior College
    Location

    Santa Rosa, CA

    At Santa Rosa Junior College, students may complete an associate degree in medical assisting with one of three emphases: administrative medical assisting, clinical medical assisting, or clinical and administrative medical assisting. Students in these programs will become fluent in medical terminology and be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of medical and administrative procedures. Many credits offered at SRJC are fully transferable, allowing students to continue their education at a different school if they need to transfer. SRJC also offers several courses in an online format, which largely beneficial to students with familial or work obligations that might otherwise interfere with earning a degree.

  2. Contra Costa College
    Location

    San Pablo, CA

    Contra Costa College offers a two-year associate of science program with an emphasis in medical assisting that will prepare students for employment in a hospital, clinical, or medical office. Students under this program will be able to concurrently complete a certificate of achievement in medical assisting and office technician, as well as a certificate in medical terminology. Most Contra Costa credits may be transferred to other two-year and four-year schools of higher education, and also honors applicable credits earned at other institutions. While Contra Costa associate programs often take around two years, students can meet with their academic advisor to build a schedule that utilizes winter and summer classes, allowing for the quickest route to graduation.

  3. West Valley College
    Location

    Saratoga, CA

    Students who complete the medical assisting program at West Valley College will be able to demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of administrative and basic medical procedures common to hospitals, clinics, and medical offices. This 42-unit program will take the typical full-time student just over three semesters to complete, allowing them to begin their career as a medical assistant as quickly as possible. One of the greatest benefits of studying at West Valley is its affordability; students are able to get the same quality education as is offered at four-year schools of higher education without paying the high prices common to upper-level schools.

  4. Cabrillo College
    Location

    Santa Cruz, CA

    In addition to completing an associate of science degree in medical assisting at Cabrillo College, students also have the option to concurrently complete a certificate in medical assisting or phlebotomy, further specializing their learning for a competitive job market. Through a series of in-class and clinical courses, students will learn basic skills in medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, and understanding medical laws and ethics. Students coming in from a different school of higher education may be able to receive credit for their previously completed classes, given that they match Cabrillo College’s degree requirements.

  5. Saddleback College
    Location

    Mission Viejo, CA

    Student who are interested in beginning a career in the developing field of medical assisting may wish to consider completing one of Saddleback College’s medical certificate programs, including administrative medical assisting, clinical medical assisting, and comprehensive medical assisting. Graduates from these programs are able to demonstrate the skills medical employers are looking for in an employee, such as an understanding for medical billing and coding procedures, the ability to aid in basic examinations, and a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology. Students attending Saddleback College may wish to complete some of their coursework in an online format, allowing them to further their education without disrupting their daily lives.

  6. Canada College
    Location

    Redwood City, CA

    Canada College offers a variety of associate and certificate program emphases in medical assisting, including medical billing specialist, administrative medical assistant, and medical coding specialist. Each of these programs—ranging from 18-unit certificates to 60-unit associate degrees—can help to facilitate student career advancement in a medical environment. Students enrolled at Canada College become part of an inclusive and thriving community characterized by social interaction and academic integrity. Extracurricular time can be spent by participating in student government, attending on-campus events, or joining one of Canada College’s student-operated clubs.

  7. Cuesta College
    Location

    San Luis Obispo, CA

    Students who study at Cuesta College can kick start a career as a medical assistant by completing an associate of science degree in medical assisting. Students are taught all necessary clinical skills, methods of managing a medical office or clinic, and communications skills that employers are looking for. Students who have busy schedules may wish to consider studying in either online or evening sections, allowing them to maintain their daily obligations outside of school. While Cuesta College offers a college education at a cheap price, students also have the option to apply for a variety of financial aid opportunities to further lighten their financial load.

  8. Allan Hancock College
    Location

    Santa Maria, CA

    Allan Hancock College offers its medical assisting certificate programs in both a daytime format (medical assisting certificate) and an evening format (medical billing certificate), allowing students to work towards career advancement whenever best fits their schedule. Students who complete an associate degree program with Allan Hancock may go on to immediately begin a career in their field of choice, or may transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s program. Online learning is a beneficial option for students who have non-curricular obligations that may cause time constraints when it comes to scheduling courses. Financial aid is available to all eligible Allan Hancock students.

  9. Chabot College
    Location

    Hayward, CA

    The medical assisting program at Chabot College prepares students to take the Certified Medical Assistant Exam, allowing for career advancement in a medical-based environment. Medical assisting students will learn to perform both administrative and clinical duties, making them well-rounded employees with high marketability in the current job-market. Students transferring in from a different school of higher education may receive credit for classes taken at other schools, so long as it is applicable to their Chabot degree. Students also have the option to meet with career counselors to develop their resume and practice their interview skills.

  10. Moreno Valley College
    Location

    Moreno Valley, CA

    A degree in medical assisting earned at Moreno Valley College can help prepare students to begin a career as a medical assistant in a medical office or clinic. This program is designed to develop students’ skills in understanding medical terminology, performing administrative functions such as processing medical billing, and assisting in basic patient examinations. Moreno Valley is an excellent choice for students looking to complete a college degree, but are looking to do so at a cheaper price. Moreno Valley is made even more affordable with its numerous opportunities for scholarships and grants that are available to any qualifying student.

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Certification & Training Requirements for Medical Assistants in California

How does the state define "medical assistant"?

They are unlicensed workers who perform non-invasive, routine medical support services under the supervision of a physician, surgeon, podiatrist, physician assistant, nurse practitioners, or nurse midwife in a medical office or clinical setting. The supervising professional must be on the premises when any of these support services are performed.

Is certification required?

Licensure, registration and certification are not required of medical assistants in California, however numerous employers may require medical assistants to be certified for insurance, training of other personnel or other purposes. To be able to hold the title of "qualified medical assistant," students must do one of the following:
  • Earn certification through a medical assistant certifying body approved by the Medical Board of California
  • Be credentialed to teach in a medical assistant training program at a community college
  • Be authorized to team medical assisting in a private postsecondary facility accredited by the US Dept of Health or Bureau for Private Postsecondary & Vocation Education

Is certification available?

Certification is available for California medical assistants and may be required by employers. Approved certifications available include (but may not be limited to):
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA)
  • Multiskilled Medical Certification Institute (MMCI)
  • California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants (CCBMA)
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
  • Medical Assistant (NCMA)
  • American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Is a formal education and/or training required?

While formal education is not required, formal training is required to perform some technical medical support services. Training may be administered in one of the ways:
  • Under a licensed physician or podiatrist, and/or under an RN, an LVN, a PA, or a qualified medical assistant
  • In a secondary or postsecondary education program in a public school recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), a community college program as outlined in the Education Code, or a private postsecondary school approved or accredited as outlined above.

Are there additional requirements?

To administer medications via injection, to perform skin tests, or to perform blood withdrawal, medical assistants must complete training as following:
Administering injections and skin tests 10 hours of training. Candidate must show satisfactory performance of at least 10 injections and 10 skin tests.
Venipuncture 10 hours of training. Candidate must show satisfactory performance of at least 10 venipuncture and 10 skin punctures.
Administering inhaled medication 10 hours of training.

Are there healthcare support tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in California?

Along with the above procedures, medical assistants are also allowed to swab the nose and throat for cultures, take a patient's blood pressure, perform hearing tests and call in refills to a pharmacy. Among other procedures, they are not permitted to: apply orthopedic splints, though they may remove them; administer or disconnect IVs; perform telephone triage; insert urine catheters; and chart pupillary responses.

Salaries for Medical Assistants in California

The following 2014 salary figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offer a comparison between medical assistant earnings in California and nationally

Annual Wage 25th percentileAnnual Wage MedianAnnual Wage 75th percentileHourly Wage Median
California$26,900$33,360$40,900$16.04
National$25,500$29,960$36,070$14.41
Source: BLS, 2014

California Medical Assistant Salaries: City and Metropolitan Areas

Salaries for medical assistants can vary by thousands of dollars a year depending on location, illustrated by the 2014 wage amounts from the BLS shown in the map below. The highest paying areas are located in or around the San Francisco Bay Area, while the Los Angeles area and Central California have lower wages.

AreaAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA$26,060$32,520$38,700$15.63
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$33,650$40,150$46,840$19.30
Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville, CA$28,250$35,210$45,570$16.93
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA$29,670$35,130$42,330$16.89
Fresno, CA$25,380$28,720$34,080$13.81
Source: BLS, 2014

Healthcare support jobs are projected to grow by 19 percent from 2014-2024 for a variety of reasons, including an aging baby boom population and growing access to healthcare insurance for many Americans. As a result of a drastically increasing need for all medical personnel over the next several years, medical assisting is projected to experience much faster than average growth through at least 2022. The table below compares California medical assisting job growth with national growth.

Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022

Average Annual Openings Current Employment Projected Employment 2022 Jobs Added Growth Rate
California 3,450 81,600 100,500 18,900 23.2%
National 26,990 560,800 723,700 162,900 29%
Source:Projections Central, 2012-2022

California Medical Assisting Schools Spotlight

While there are dozens of medical assisting programs available at a wide variety of California community colleges, private career colleges and vocational schools, we've chosen a few standouts to help you get started.

WEST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE

School Type:

Community College


Accreditation:

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools & Colleges


School highlights:

Graduates are able to sit for the CCBMA exam, which includes several specialties including Administrative Medical Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant or both.

The program has a published completion rate of 90%

Courses include clinical assisting techniques, pharmacology and human diseases.


Programs offered:

Administrative Medical Assistant Certificate Program

Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program

Medical Assistant Certificate, Administrative & Clinical

Associate of Science in Medical Assisting


West Los Angeles College

CABRILLO COLLEGE

School Type:

Community College


Accreditation:

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Approved by the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment.


School highlights:

The medical assisting program is part of the health, athletics, wellness and kinesiology division of the school.

Courses include a phlebotomy lab, an EKG lab, and billing & coding instruction.

An accelerated medical assisting program is available, with graduates receiving the medical assisting certificated of achievement.


Programs offered:

Certificate of achievement, medical assistant

Associate of Science, medical assistant


Cabrillo College

California Medical Assistant Resources

California Certifying Board of Medical Assistants

The website for the certifying body that conducts the California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. It offers comprehensive information on taking the exam, including required qualifications, what the exam includes and more.


Multiskilled Medical Certification Institute (MMCI)

Enabled by a contractual arrangement with the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), MMCI provides a method of medical assistant certification in California.


Pearson Vue

Pearson is the administering body for the California Certified Medical Assistant exam. Students can schedule exams, find a test center, and learn about testing accommodations.


Salary.com, California Medical Assistants

Learn about medical assisting and salaries in California, and sort through job listings.


The Medical Board of California: Medical Assistants

The Medical Board of California is responsible for regulating many medical careers in the state, including medical assistants. The website offers extensive information on the California Code of Regulations and medical assisting.

Popular Resources

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