What Is the Job Outlook for Medical Assistants?

If you want a career that blends healthcare, patient care, and administrative skills, medical assisting could be a smart move. Job growth for medical assistants (MA) in the US is projected to rise 12% through 2034, which is much faster than average across all occupations¹. That means thousands of new opportunities in clinics, hospitals, and doctors’ offices nationwide.

This growth reflects the expanding healthcare system and the increasing number of people who need access to care.

Why Medical Assistants Are in High Demand

Healthcare keeps growing because Americans are living longer and managing more chronic conditions than ever. As a result, physicians’ offices, hospitals, and outpatient facilities need trained professionals who can perform both clinical and administrative tasks to keep patient care running smoothly.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 112,000 new medical assistant jobs will open each year through 2034¹. These jobs arise from a combination of new positions and replacement needs as workers leave, retire, or advance into other healthcare roles.

Medical assistants are valuable because they can handle multiple duties. In this role, you do everything from helping patients, updating records and taking vital signs to supporting clinical procedures. That versatility makes MAs essential to healthcare teams across nearly every setting. There are several reasons why healthcare professionals are in demand, including more facilities shifting to outpatient and preventative care models.

What’s Driving Demand for Medical Assistants?

Several key factors influence the strong job outlook for Medical Assistants:

1. Aging Population - The U.S. Census Bureau projects that adults over age 65 will outnumber children by 2034. An older population means more doctor visits, chronic disease management, and long-term care. These factors combine to increase demand for healthcare professionals who can support nurses and doctors.
2. Expanding Outpatient Services - Medical technology allows many procedures that once required hospital stays to be done in outpatient clinics. That shift increases the need for MAs in physicians’ offices, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics where they can perform lab tests, prepare patients, and manage records.
3. Physician Shortages - It’s projected that there will be a shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036. While medical assistants can’t perform the same tasks as doctors, they can take on some routine patient care tasks, so doctors can focus on diagnosis and treatment.
4. Preventive and Primary Care Focus - Healthcare reform has shifted attention toward prevention and early intervention. Medical assistants often take vital signs, conduct basic screenings, and educate patients about wellness and medication, all to improve preventative care.

Regional Hotspots for Medical Assistant Jobs

While demand exists nationwide, some regions have especially high demand for medical assistants, including Connecticut², Georgia³, Indiana⁴, Maryland⁵, New Jersey⁶ and Pennsylvania⁷. Urban areas tend to have the highest job concentrations, but suburban and rural regions often experience steady growth due to healthcare facility expansion and increased access to telemedicine support staff. If you’re open to relocation, exploring areas with strong healthcare growth can increase your chances of finding a rewarding job soon after training.

Where Medical Assistants Work

Medical assistants can work almost anywhere healthcare happens, though roughly 57% work in physicians’ offices¹. Other common settings include, hospitals, outpatient care centers, and chiropractic or specialty clinics.

Medical Assistant Salaries and Advancement

Pay for medical assistants can vary by state, facility type, and experience level. Some states offer higher pay due to cost of living and demand. You can also grow within the field by gaining experience or certifications. Many MAs move into roles such as:

• Lead Medical Assistant: Supervises other assistants and manages scheduling.
• Clinical Office Manager: Oversees operations and patient flow.
• Specialized Technician: Works in phlebotomy, EKG, or medical billing.

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) and Registered Medical Assistants (RMAs) tend to earn more and qualify for broader opportunities. Some MAs later pursue education in nursing or healthcare administration to advance further their careers.

Why the Future Looks Bright for Medical Assistants

The need for medical assistants isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The combination of population growth, expanded healthcare access, and aging patients means consistent job openings in nearly every region of the U.S. This makes it one of the more stable and opportunity-rich healthcare entry points available today.

If you want a meaningful, people-focused job that blends technical skills and compassion, medical assisting is a career worth considering. It gives you a front-row seat in healthcare and can serve as a launchpad to other roles down the line.

Lincoln Tech’s Medical Assistant training programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on lab experience and a real-world internship to prepare you for certification and employment in less than a year. Fill out the form to connect with a Lincoln Tech rep today.

¹ US Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm, Retrieved on November 5, 2025.

² O-Net Online, https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9092.00?st=CT, Retrieved on November 6, 2025.

³ O-Net Online, https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9092.00?st=GA, Retrieved on November 6, 2025.

⁴ O-Net Online, https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9092.00?st=IN, Retrieved on November 6, 2025.

⁵ O-Net Online, https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9092.00?st=MD, Retrieved on November 6, 2025.

⁶ O-Net Online, https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9092.00?st=NJ, Retrieved on November 6, 2025.

⁷ O-Net Online, https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/31-9092.00?st=PA, Retrieved on November 6, 2025.