In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
As a medical administrative assistant in California, you’ll play a vital role in keeping the office running smoothly, ensuring that patients get the care they need while supporting doctors and nurses. Working as a medical administrative assistant in California has several great benefits, but the best reason may well depend on your personal goals. Here are a few top reasons to consider California:
High demand equals industry stability:
Healthcare is a booming industry in California, and medical administrative assistants are always needed in hospitals, clinics and private practices. The job market is growing, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ensuring long-term stability.
Higher wages:
California offers some of the highest wages for medical administrative assistants in the U.S. According to recent data from the BLS the state is the second highest paying state in the country and salaries tend to be above the national average.
Opportunity for growth with quick entry:
Unlike clinical roles, you don’t need years of medical school or college in California. Many programs may be completed in nine months to a year, allowing you to start working quickly in the healthcare field. If you do decide to continue your education by earning an associate or bachelor’s degree, higher positions, such as office manager, healthcare administrator or even nursing, may be possible.
Snapshot of medical admin assisting in CA
There are around 112,740 people employed as medical administrative assistants in California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). To put it into perspective, this would equate to nearly six people who work as medical admin assistants for every 1,000 who live in the state. This makes California the number one employer of medical admin assistants in the U.S. The median wage per hour is $25, and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 4.2%, faster than the national average.
Since California is the top state for employment of medical administrative assistants, while there may be job opportunities, competition may still exist depending on location and employer. Keep in mind that there are some California-specific factors that may aid your chance of finding a job, including being bilingual—especially in Spanish—and completing an internship during your training. Here are five of the largest employers of medical administrative assistants in California:
- Kaiser Permanente, Statewide locations:
- Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest healthcare systems in California, operating hospitals, medical offices and clinics across the state. They frequently hires for administrative and support roles.
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles:
- Cedars-Sinai is a highly regarded hospital in Los Angeles, known for advanced healthcare services. They offer competitive salaries and benefits.
- Sutter Health, Sacramento, Davis, multiple locations across Northern California:
- Sutter health is a not-for-profit health system with facilities in Northern California who employs thousands of people in administrative, medical and support roles.
- Dignity Health (now part of CommonSpirit Health), Statewide locations:
- Dignity Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in California. They operate hospitals, clinics and medical groups across the state.
- UCLA Health, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hills and other locations:
- UCLA Health is a top-ranked medical system affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles. They offer excellent career growth opportunities and benefits.
Medical administrative assistants in these organizations perform essential tasks, including:
- Patient scheduling: Coordinating appointments and managing calendars to ensure efficient patient flow.
- Medical record management: Maintaining and updating patient records, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Billing and coding: Processing insurance claims, coding procedures, and managing billing inquiries.
- Communication: Serving as a liaison between patients and healthcare providers, handling inquiries and relaying information.
- Administrative support: Assisting with clerical duties such as data entry, correspondence and supply management.
Salary statistics for California medical admin assistants
Medical admin assistant salaries may depend upon experience, location, employer and other factors. While the median national salary is just over $44,640 a year, it can vary significantly depending on the factors above and whether you have earned certification in an area of specialty. That said, California ranks exceptionally well for salaries, ranking second in the U.S. after Washington state.
Median salary in California
In California, the median annual wage for medical administration assistants stands at $52,720, which is way above the median for the entire country. Considering California’s cost of living is also considerably higher than the national average, earning a higher salary may help dollars stretch further. Also, working in major healthcare hubs such as Los Angeles, San Jose or Silicon Valley and San Diego may also yield a higher salary compared to employment in smaller cities such as Bakersfield or Banning.
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
10%$38,070
25%$44,770
50%$52,720Median
75%$61,920
90%$73,990
Median Hourly Wage$25
Job growth4.2%
Total Employment116,890
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,380 | $46,330 | $79,170 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $61,090 | $45,670 | $81,720 |
| Napa, CA | $60,940 | $46,870 | $76,380 |
| Vallejo, CA | $60,260 | $40,450 | $79,190 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $56,980 | $42,830 | $80,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $56,300 | $39,880 | $74,120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $51,960 | $39,880 | $69,930 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $51,580 | $40,160 | $64,290 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $50,770 | $37,260 | $70,820 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $50,450 | $39,840 | $71,180 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary range for medical admin assistants in California
The salary range for medical administration assistants in California typically spans from $38,070 to $73,990 per year said the BLS.
Factors influencing this range include geographic location within the state, level of experience and the specific healthcare facility. For instance, professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area often receive higher salaries due to the region’s elevated cost of living and increased demand for healthcare services. Additionally, recent legislation has raised the minimum wage for healthcare workers, which may further impact salaries.
Employment by California metro area
Your earning level may depend upon where you live within a state. Traditionally, larger cities tend to pay better than rural or less populated areas because large cities usually are medical industry and university hubs. So, if you work in the largest city in the state—Los Angeles, followed by San Diego—that both have several highly ranked hospitals and several large university hospitals, pay may be more competitive. That said, here’s what the BLS reports as the highest employment numbers for the top 10 cities in the U.S. As you can see, California takes the top spot on the list, with medical administrative assistant professionals occupying the highest number of roles in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area.
California salary growth and job outlook
With a national job growth rate of 4.2% through 2034, medical administrative assistants in California are experiencing a robust job market, with employment for medical admin assistants projected to grow in the state itself by 14% through 2030, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is driven by an aging population requiring increased medical services, technological advancements necessitating specialized administrative support and healthcare reforms expanding access to care.
In California, the earnings of medical administrative assistants are influenced by geographic location and recent legislative changes. Urban centers such as San Francisco and Encino may offer higher salaries, largely due to elevated living costs and increased demand for healthcare services.
Conversely, regions with lower living expenses may offer comparatively modest wages. Additionally, the state’s healthcare minimum wage law, effective as of October, 2024, mandates a $21 per hour minimum for workers at many healthcare facilities, with plans to incrementally increase this to $25 per hour over the next decade. This legislation applies statewide but primarily impacts roles previously earning below the new thresholds, thereby standardizing minimum earnings across various regions and facilities.
When compared to other healthcare support roles, medical administrative assistants’ projected growth aligns closely with the overall increase the BLS anticipated for healthcare support occupations during the same period. However, specific roles such as home health and personal care aides are expected to see even more significant growth, reflecting the broader trend toward in-home and personalized care.
Factors affecting medical admin assistant salaries in California
In California, several factors impact the pay of a medical administrative assistant, including geographic location, cost of living, experience level, workplace setting and state legislation.
- Location and cost of living:
- Urban areas with high living costs, like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, tend to offer higher wages. For example, salaries in San Francisco are often above $56,000 due to the high cost of living and increased demand for healthcare services. In contrast, rural areas or smaller cities typically have lower wages.
- Education and experience:
- Those with certifications such as the CMAA–Certified Medical Administrative Assistant credential or more years of experience earn higher salaries.
- Type of employer:
- Hospitals and large healthcare systems generally pay more than private clinics or smaller medical offices due to funding and patient volume.
- State support and legislation:
- California’s healthcare minimum wage law that went into effect in October, 2024 mandates a $21 per hour minimum wage for healthcare workers, gradually increasing to $25 per hour in certain facilities. This impacts medical administrative assistants working in large hospitals, dialysis clinics and other covered healthcare settings.
Education to become a medical administrative assistant in California
To become a medical administrative assistant in California, you don’t need a formal degree, but completing a certificate or associate degree program may improve job prospects and earning potential. Here’s the typical education path:
Graduate from high school or earn a GED:
A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement to enter this field. Developing skills in computer use, organization and communication are helpful.
Consider a college program:
Many aspiring medical administrative assistants enroll in a certificate or associate degree program at community colleges, vocational schools or online institutions. Programs typically take six months to two years and cover medical terminology, healthcare office procedures, electronic health records (EHR) and insurance billing and coding.
Think about pursuing professional certification:
While certification isn’t legally required in California, many employers prefer or require it. Popular certifications include Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) and Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM).
Gain on-the-job experience:
Many entry-level jobs provide on-the-job training for basic office procedures and medical software. Some employers prefer a year or more of experience in a healthcare setting, which can be gained through internships or volunteering.
Where would you like to go in your career?
This career path may offer quick entry into the healthcare field with opportunities for advancement into roles like healthcare office manager or medical billing and coding specialist with additional education and experience.
Find comprehensive salary guides for medical administrative assistants in select states: Arizona | California | Florida | Georgia | Indiana | Texas
Cost of living considerations for California
California’s cost of living varies significantly across its cities, impacting the salaries required for a medical administrative assistant to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. In areas with higher living expenses, higher wages are necessary to offset costs.
Cities with healthcare facilities and a higher cost of living:
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Los Angeles
Cities with healthcare facilities and a lower cost of living:
- Fresno
- Bakersfield
- Redding
Factors contributing to California’s high cost of living:
- Housing shortage: Since the 1970s, California has faced a housing shortage, leading to increased home prices and rents.
- Restrictive zoning laws: Strict zoning regulations have limited housing development, contributing to the housing shortage and driving up costs.
- High demand for housing: California’s climate and economy attract new residents, increasing demand for housing and services, which elevates prices.
Professional groups for California medical admin assistants
Several professional organizations support medical administrative assistants and related roles in California, offering resources for career development, certification and networking:
California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA): CCBMA focuses on certifying medical assistants within California, ensuring they meet state-specific standards. They offer certification and recertification programs, enhancing professional credibility and employment opportunities.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA): AHIMA serves health information professionals by offering certifications, education and resources related to health information management. Their certifications, such as Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), are available for medical administrative assistants focusing on health information roles.
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM): AAHAM caters to professionals involved in healthcare administrative management, including medical administrative assistants. They provide certification, education and advocacy and offer credentials such as Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS) and Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP).
California Medical Group Management Association (CAMGMA): CAMGMA is a resource for healthcare professionals and medical group managers throughout the state. Through educational programs, mentoring, advocacy and networking, members can find professional growth and development resources and support.
The medical administrative assistant salary guide for the state of California strives to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the salary landscape and important information regarding this healthcare profession. Use this guide as a starting point to make informed decisions about your education, career path, salary and for setting realistic expectations for your educational and professional future in California.