Medical Assistant Schools and Salaries in Maryland

Check out our ranking of the top programs and career outlook for medical assistants in Maryland.
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Updated June 28, 2023

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Training & Certification

Medical assistant schools and programs are available in several different educational venues in Maryland, including community colleges, accredited colleges, vocational schools, technical colleges and universities, many of which offer online courses. There are currently over 10,000 medical assistant jobs throughout the state with an expected growth of 30 percent over the coming decade. Although medical assistant salaries vary slightly depending on the area, the hourly median wage in Maryland is $5 more than the national wage. If you're looking for a rewarding career in healthcare in a state with growing opportunities, look into training and certification as a medical assistant in Maryland.

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Top Medical Assisting Schools: Maryland

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 bachelor's or master's degree in subject area for 4-year schools
  • Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools

Schools were then scored on factors such as:

  • Cost & Financial Aid
  • Number and variety of program offerings
  • Student-teacher ratios
  • Graduation rates (4-year schools only)
  • 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.

Aspiring medical assistants start ton their career paths by first earning a degree or certificate in the field. This puts them on the path to helping patients and assisting health care professionals by managing medical offices and clinics, maintaining patient records, taking medical histories and scheduling patient appointments. To find the medical assisting program that allows you the time and resources you need to maintain your personal and professional obligations, do your research. Our list of 2017's Top Medical Assisting Schools in Maryland can help.

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Certification & Training Requirements for Medical Assistants in Maryland

1.How is "medical assistant" defined in Maryland?

Medical assistants are healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of physicians, usually in outpatient facilities, such as clinics and medical offices. They are trained to perform clinical duties including assisting during exams, preparing and administering medications and collecting and preparing lab specimens, as well as administrative duties.

2.Is certification required?

Licensure and certification is not required of medical assistants in Maryland. All that is needed is a high school diploma or GED.

3.Is certification available?

Although certification is not required in Maryland, physicians hiring them are at liberty to request training or certification. For this reason, medical assistants may voluntarily become nationally certified. Approved certifications available include (but may not be limited to):

  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

4.How do Maryland medical assistants maintain their credentials?

The CMA credential is valid for 60 months. Recertification in Maryland through the AAMA requires the medical assistant holds a current CMA credential and completes one of the following:

Recertification by ExaminationTo pass the examination originally taken to become a medical assistant.
Recertification by Continuing EducationTo accumulate 60 recertification points over the five years of the current CMA credential's validity. This must include 10 administrative points, 10 general points, 10 clinical points, 30 points from a combination of the above categories.

5.Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in Maryland?

A Maryland medical assistant may not:

  • Conduct a physical exam
  • Dispense medications
  • Provide physical therapy services
  • Give medical advice without consulting a physician
  • Initiate independent treatment except CPR

Salaries for Medical Assistants in Maryland

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

 Annual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Maryland$26,990$31,980$36,950$15.37
National$25,500$29,960$36,070$14.41

Source: BLS, 2014

Maryland Medical Assistant Salaries: City and Metropolitan Area Salaries

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 Bethesda, while Cumberland and Hagerstown have lower wages.

AreaAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Baltimore-Towson, MD$27,760$32,450$36,870$15.60
Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD Metropolitan Division$27,470$33,250$38,210$15.99
Cumberland, MD-WV$24,590$28,860$35,060$13.87
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV$24,020$28,270$33,380$13.59
Salisbury, MD$26,390$30,460$35,500$14.64

Source: BLS, 2014

Maryland Medical Assisting Employments Trends

Medical assistant jobs are projected to grow by 6.4 percent from 2012-2022 in Maryland. While this is respectable growth compared to other jobs, it's much lower than growth for medical assistants in other parts of the country. The table below compares Maryland 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
Maryland2509,81010,4406306.4%
National26,990560,800723,700162,90029%

*Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022

Maryland Medical Assisting Schools Spotlight

There is a wide range of medical assisting programs to choose from throughout the state of Maryland's universities, community colleges and vocational school, here are a few reputable ones to give you a place to begin your search.

ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

School Type:Community college

Accreditation:Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)

School highlights:A 31-credit, three term program
Offers degree, certificate and Letter of Recognition for graduates
Practice in the clinical college laboratory

Programs offered:Medical Assistant Certificate
Healthcare Delivery Systems Certificate
Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science
Pharmacology for health professions
Allied health and medical ethics
Electronic medical records

Anne Arundel Community College

CECIL COLLEGE

School Type:Vocational college

Accreditation:Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB):

School highlights:Courses include coding and insurance and managed care
Opportunity to sit for to the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA/AAMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)

Programs offered:Certificate of Medical Assisting
Associate Degree in Healthcare Sciences
Anatomy and physiology for allied health
Medical terminology
Psychology essentials
Medical office procedures
Professionalism in healthcare

Cecil

Maryland Medical Assistant Resources

Maryland Society of Medical Assistants
This is the website for the MSMA; a professional body which provides membership and promotes the professional identity of people in the medical assisting profession throughout Maryland.

Maryland Medical Assistant State Exam
While the state does not require a license or certification, you may need one to get a position or a promotion. This site details the CMA and RMA and explain how you can take them.

The American Association of Medical Assistants
The AAMA provided certification, information and membership for medical assistants throughout the USA.

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