Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for clinical assistants in the United States
Clinical assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected clinical assistant job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 117,800 new jobs for clinical assistants are projected over the next decade.
Clinical assistant salaries have increased 14% for clinical assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 39,652 clinical assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 101,926 active clinical assistant job openings in the US.
The average clinical assistant salary is $30,215.
Are clinical assistant jobs in demand?
Clinical assistant job and salary trends over time
Clinical assistant jobs over time
Clinical assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 39,652 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 38,979 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 38,771 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 36,744 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 35,442 | 0.01% |
Average clinical assistant salary over time
Clinical assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $30,215 | $14.53 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $29,330 | $14.10 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $28,327 | $13.62 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $27,375 | $13.16 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $26,583 | $12.78 | +3.1% |
Clinical assistant jobs by state
Most common states for clinical assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 766 | 57% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 465 | 44% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 300 | 43% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,249 | 40% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 292 | 39% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,608 | 38% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 504 | 38% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,560 | 35% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,203 | 33% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,220 | 33% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,170 | 33% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,922 | 32% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 282 | 32% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,257 | 30% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 622 | 30% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,963 | 29% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,653 | 29% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,640 | 29% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 564 | 29% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 304 | 29% |
Most common cities for clinical assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 8 | 33% | $43,179 |
| 2 | Duluth | 15 | 17% | $31,274 |
| 3 | Bangor | 4 | 13% | $33,103 |
| 4 | Portland | 7 | 10% | $34,240 |
| 5 | Boston | 51 | 8% | $43,332 |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 4 | 7% | $32,829 |
| 7 | Palo Alto | 4 | 6% | $40,041 |
| 8 | Urban Honolulu | 14 | 4% | $33,077 |
| 9 | Miami | 9 | 2% | $25,705 |
| 10 | Saint Paul | 6 | 2% | $28,576 |
| 11 | Madison | 5 | 2% | $28,042 |
| 12 | Sacramento | 6 | 1% | $38,112 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 5 | 1% | $25,980 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 4 | 1% | $29,769 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $23,472 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 7 | 0% | $36,337 |
| 17 | San Diego | 4 | 0% | $35,120 |
Clinical Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of clinical assistant experts
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Assistant?
Candace Keck: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. This positive job outlook ensures future job opportunities and career stability.
What Clinical Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Candace Keck: Depending on the area where the medical assistant works, such as clinic vs hospital vs care facilities, the day-to-day duties can vary. The commonality, no matter the location, is they work closely with providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses, to name a few) and other healthcare professionals to deliver patient care. It can involve direct patient care and administrative work. They need to have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a compassionate approach to patient care.
What will help Clinical Assistants increase their earning potential?
Candace Keck: I don't have an answer to this question. I'm not scheduled to work in the hospital any time soon so would not have the opportunity to ask.
What general advice would you give to a Clinical Assistant?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: To maximize salary for a medical assistant obtaining certification from one of the credentialing organizations such as American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) can make a new hire more competitive. Continuing educations along with developing any specialized skills such as phlebotomy. Demonstrating professionalism initiative and reliability, along with gaining a strong reference from previous employers.
What Clinical Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: Flexibility is a must in healthcare. You must be flexible with your job functions, time and most importantly your patients. You must be able to pivot with little to no notice and be ready and wiling to assist anyone in your clinic; providers, co-workers, patients, etc.
What will help Clinical Assistants increase their earning potential?
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA: To meet the demands of evolving healthcare and provide high-quality care to patients technological proficiency (EHR systems, Telehealth support), clinical skills (any skills that can enhance what you’ve learned in school. Phlebotomy, point of care testing devices), communication and soft skills (adaptability, problem-solving, empathy and compassion) are a must. I feel a lot of the younger generation lacks the soft skills needed in healthcare/professional jobs. Administrative skills and patient care and safety (infections control and chronic disease management).
What will help Clinical Assistants increase their earning potential?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): Medical Assistants
have become a vital member to any health care team! Below are some specific
educational areas and training that a face-to-face or hybrid Medical Assistant
Program offers and what students will do on a daily basis (or during class and lab
sessions) that will help provide training quality assurance: (these are just some of
the areas of training and education that students will receive in an CAAHEP
(Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) accredited
Medical Assistant Program:
Interacting with patients
Hands-on training with hypodermic needles used for injections and
venipuncture
Using other medical equipment like the various thermometers, pulse
oximeter, EKG machine, nebulizer, etc.
Experience with scheduling/accounting/EMR software applications
Students learn and practice many clinical procedures like patient transfers,
wound care, disease transmission prevention, completion of various
requisitions for medical testing, emergency procedures, caring for adult
and pediatric patients, and much more.
Students also learn and practice Pharmacology procedures which include
medication administration, adult and pediatric medication dosing,
medication uses, side effects/adverse effects/toxicity/etc.
Laboratory Procedures allows students to learn and practice how to
perform Point-of-Care testing, venipuncture, laboratory testing results,
urinalysis, etc.
Finally, Students will complete a Medical Assistant Program Externship at
a medical office/hospital/urgent care/specialty clinic to practice the skills
and training in real life.