Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries In New York

Check out the top ranked medical assistant programs, salary outlook, and certification requirements in the state of New York.
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Updated June 28, 2023

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Training, Certifications, Wages and Job Growth

Medical assisting in New York is an in-demand profession, with over 1,000 new jobs being added every year from 2012 to 2022. Medical assistants can choose to work in the front office, where they work with such necessities as scheduling or billing, or they might work the back office, which puts them in direct patient contact by taking vital signs or collecting laboratory specimens. Medical assisting schools and programs in New York prepare students to take their certification exams and handle roles in both parts of the medical office.

Discover what students can expect during their education and training and after graduation when they start earning a paycheck.

Best Medical Assisting Schools in New York

A career as a medical assistant begins with a certificate or degree from a quality college, with graduates going on to enter the workforce or continue on with their education. Medical assistants work hand-in-hand with physicians and other medical staff to take care of patients and endure all medical records are in order. To find a program that offers quality instruction, small class sizes and reasonable tuition rates, you need to do your homework. We've done the research for you by analyzing schools in New York based on our criteria. Check out the top-ranking schools with medical assisting programs in New York below.

#1 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries In New York

Niagara County Community College

  • Sanborn, NY
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Niagara County Community College is a public institution that offers a medical assistant associate program. The Sanborn-based school delivers courses online and on campus, providing opportunities for students in any location. Studying remotely allows learners to attend class without commuting or adjusting their schedule to attend day classes.

Medical assistant-specific coursework and training helps participants understand the field and gain practical skills. Graduates can enter the workforce immediately or enroll in bachelor's programs, saving money by transferring credits.

Niagara County Community College at a Glance:

Number of Associate Programs: 81

Number of Associate Programs Available Online: 7

Number of Certificate Programs: 57

Number of Certificate Programs Available Online: 3

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,560
Out-of-state
$9,120
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
64%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
4,997
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
24% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#2 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries In New York

SUNY Broome Community College

  • Binghamton, NY
  • 2 years
  • Campus

Learners interested in enrolling in a medical assistant associate program can consider SUNY Broome Community College, a public institution in Binghamton. Students in any state can enroll in its online programs. Distance learners often work full time while completing their program, scheduling their studies around work.

Enrollees complete field-specific coursework and gain important training. This training is usually sufficient to begin entry-level jobs in medical assisting and related fields. To expand their career options, associate degree-holders can complete a bachelor's degree before applying for positions in the field.

SUNY Broome Community College at a Glance:

Number of Associate Programs: 49

Number of Associate Programs Available Online: Data not available

Number of Certificate Programs: 21

Number of Certificate Programs Available Online: Data not available

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,944
Out-of-state
$9,888
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
51%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
6,109
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
34% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#3 Medical Assistant Schools & Salaries In New York

Erie Community College

  • Buffalo, NY
  • 2 years
  • Online + Campus

Erie Community College maintains a campus in Buffalo and offers a medical assisting program. To qualify for medical assistant positions, students can earn an associate degree or certificate, which require coursework and technical training. Graduates often transfer their certificate or associate credits into a bachelor's program to qualify for more advanced roles.

Enrollees benefit from the option to study online. Distance learning also benefits working professionals, who need to schedule their studies around full-time employment. The institution's admissions counselors can help applicants select the best program for their goals and interests.

Erie Community College at a Glance:

Number of Associate Programs: 58

Number of Associate Programs Available Online: 1

Number of Certificate Programs: 33

Number of Certificate Programs Available Online: 1

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,900
Out-of-state
$9,466
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
Not provided
Out-of-state
Not provided
Retention Rate
56%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
10,031
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
29% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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Medical Assisting Certification and Training in New York


How does New York define the job of medical assistant?

New York doesn't explicitly define what a medical assistant is; however, the New York State Board for Medicine considers medical assistants as "unlicensed persons" in terms of medical duties. The Board goes on to delineate exactly what a medical assistant can and cannot do. In New York, medical assistants are allowed to perform the following duties:

Of course this is not an exhaustive list. Medical assistants in New York must be supervised at all times by their supervising physician.

  • Secretarial work, such as assembling charts or assisting with billing
  • Measuring vital signs
  • Performing ECGs
  • Taking laboratory specimens, including bloodwork
  • Assisting an authorized practitioner, or acting as a "second set of hands" while under the direct supervision of that practitioner

Is certification required?

Technically, no - certification is not required. However, many employers prefer it, as certification proves a basic level of knowledge and skills that are vitally necessary in order for a medical assistant to perform their job well. Those who choose to obtain certification might have an advantage among a field of otherwise qualified applicants.

Is certification available?

The following certifications are recognized across the nation, including by employers in New York.

Certifications
Certification EarnedCertifying Organization
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)MNational Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)

Is formal education and/or training required?

New York does not require formal education to become a medical assistant. However, medical assistants who prefer to earn certification must graduate from a medical assisting program in order to sit for the examination. There are numerous schools in New York that offer medical assisting programs, culminating in either a certificate or an associate degree.

Are there tasks outside the scope of medical assistants in New York?

The New York State Board for Medicine has issued a list of tasks that medical assistants are not permitted to engage in. These tasks include, but may not be limited to:

  • Triage
  • Administering medications through any route
  • Placing or removing sutures
  • Administering contrast dyes or injections of any kind
  • Taking x-rays
  • Independently positioning patients for x-rays
  • Applying casts
  • Working as a first assistant during surgical procedures

New York Medical Assisting Salaries

Medical assistants in New York see a median annual wage that is higher than wages for medical assistants across the rest of the nation. The following chart offers further comparison.

Salaries
NY vs. NationalAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
New York$27,060$32,780$38,550$15.76
National$25,500$29,960$36,070$14.41

Source: BLS, 2014

Select Salaries for New York Cities

Medical assistants in the state of New York might see varying salaries, depending upon the geographical area. For instance, those who work in the Buffalo area might make more than those who work in the Binghamton area, or those who work in the Suffolk metro area might see higher pay than those who work in Ithaca. Below is a breakdown of annual medians and hourly wages, depending upon the specific area.

Salaries in NY Cities
AreaAnnual Wage
25th percentile
Annual Wage
Median
Annual Wage
75th percentile
Hourly Wage
Median
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY$27,030$30,500$36,810$14.67
Binghamton NY$24,560$28,770$34,270$13.83
Buffalo-Niagara Falls NY$29,270$33,960$38,160$16.33
Elmira NY$25,780$29,550$36,690$14.21
Glens Falls NY$25,890$29,390$34,110$14.13
Ithaca NY$25,950$29,030$34,470$13.96
Kingston NY$27,390$30,700$35,890$14.76
Nassau-Suffolk NY Metropolitan Division$29,120$34,990$42,010$16.82
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island NY-NJ-PA$27,670$33,320$38,600$16.02
New York-White Plains-Wayne NY-NJ Metropolitan Division$26,960$33,060$38,680$15.89
Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown NY$26,480$31,240$35,610$15.02
Rochester NY$25,970$28,960$34,150$13.93
Syracuse NY$23,880$27,320$30,540$13.14
Utica-Rome NY$23,560$28,360$35,240$13.63
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area$26,050$30,880$35,200$14.84
East Central New York nonmetropolitan area$25,380$28,060$30,850$13.49
Central New York nonmetropolitan area$26,150$29,620$35,710$14.24
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area$22,350$25,550$28,920$12.28

Source: BLS, 2014

New York Medical Assisting Job Growth Trends

Employment of medical assistants in New York is expected to grow quite rapidly at over 26 percent, with over 1,000 new jobs added each year. The following table goes into more detail on employment trends from 2012 to 2022.

Medical Assistant Estimated Employment Growth 2012-2022
New York vs. NationalAverage Annual
Openings
Current
Employment
Projected
Employment 2022
Jobs
Added
Growth
Rate
New York1,02022,14028,0805,94026.8%
National26,990560,800723,700162,90029%

Source: Projections Central, 2012-2022

New York Medical Assisting Schools Spotlight

There are several schools in New York that offer accredited programs in medical assisting. Some of these programs offer either certificate or associate programs, while some schools offer both.

Erie Community College


School Type: Public College

Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

School highlights: In addition to providing a curriculum that will prepare students to work as medical assistants and receive their Certified Medical Assistant certification, Erie Community College also has a significant portion of the curriculum devoted to liberal arts courses to provide a well-rounded degree.

Programs offered: The associate of applied science degree in medical assisting requires 63 credits and takes two years to finish.

New York Methodist Hospital - Center for Allied Health Education


School Type: Private Educational Institution

Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

School highlights: The center offers both day and night classes to meet the scheduling needs of students. Once the medical assisting program is completed, graduates will automatically become eligible for entry into other programs.

Programs offered:

The Center for Allied Health Education offers a certificate program for those wishing to become a medical assistant. The certificate program fully prepares students to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam.

New York Medical Assistant Resources

The guidelines specifically outlining tasks medical assistants in New York can and cannot do. The New York State Society of Medical Assistants works to help the professional development of New York state medical assistants through career resources, networking events and providing medical assistant relevant news.

Popular Resources

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