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Job outlook for medical interns in the United States
Medical internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected medical internship job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 117,800 new jobs for medical interns are projected over the next decade.
Medical internship salaries have increased 14% for medical interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 618,165 medical interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 127,692 active medical internship job openings in the US.
The average medical internship salary is $50,843.
Are medical internship jobs in demand?
Medical Internship job and salary trends over time
Medical Internship jobs over time
Medical Internship job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 618,165 | 0.18% |
| 2020 | 603,249 | 0.18% |
| 2019 | 605,143 | 0.18% |
| 2018 | 572,212 | 0.17% |
| 2017 | 548,989 | 0.17% |
Average medical internship salary over time
Medical Internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,843 | $24.44 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $49,354 | $23.73 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $47,667 | $22.92 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $46,064 | $22.15 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $44,731 | $21.51 | +3.1% |
Medical Internship jobs by state
Most common states for medical interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 143 | 21% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,011 | 18% |
| 3 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 514 | 18% |
| 4 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 372 | 18% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 243 | 18% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,164 | 17% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,052 | 17% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 228 | 17% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 154 | 16% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 256 | 15% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,671 | 13% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,315 | 13% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 809 | 13% |
| 14 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 244 | 13% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 917 | 12% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 542 | 12% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 439 | 12% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 337 | 11% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 329 | 11% |
| 20 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 319 | 11% |
Most common cities for medical interns
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanicsville | 2 | 6% | $65,169 |
| 2 | Bloomington | 4 | 5% | $55,621 |
| 3 | Pontiac | 3 | 5% | $60,310 |
| 4 | Tuckahoe | 2 | 4% | $64,801 |
| 5 | San Fernando | 1 | 4% | $45,469 |
| 6 | Foster City | 1 | 3% | $51,381 |
| 7 | Alhambra | 1 | 1% | $45,145 |
| 8 | Clovis | 1 | 1% | $49,951 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $56,741 |
| 10 | Macomb | 1 | 1% | $60,917 |
| 11 | Troy | 1 | 1% | $60,430 |
| 12 | Fresno | 1 | 0% | $49,927 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $45,139 |
| 14 | Riverside | 1 | 0% | $44,784 |
| 15 | Saint Louis | 1 | 0% | $49,301 |
Medical Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of medical internship experts
Midstate College
Pennsylvania State University - Hazleton
University of Montana
Weill Cornell Medicine
What general advice would you give to a Medical Internship?
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 Medical Internship 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 Medical Interns 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 Medical Internship?
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 Medical Internship 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 Medical Interns 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 general advice would you give to a Medical Internship?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): -LIKE- People who enjoy working as a Medical Assistant do it because they get a
great satisfaction from help other people. They are often the first contact with the
patient in the medical facility, which sets the tone for the rest of the visit.
They feel good making sure that their patients have the right information that they
need, the appropriate medical care they need, and helping patients feel better.
Good problem-solving skills, compassion, understanding, patience and keeping
up with a fast-paced office is very rewarding.
-DISLIKE- Some Medical Assistants have determined that there are
area/tasks/etc. that they dislike, listed below are some of these things:
You’re always around people who are sick
Long work hours can include 10 or 12-hour days
Lower starting salary, which is usually based on education and
experience level
Having to deal with stressful situations and difficult patients
Dealing with patients who are angry, cranky, anxious or not feeling well
Working under pressure from extremely tight deadlines
What Medical Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Janice Noteboom, MHA/Ed., CMA (AAMA): duties vary, depending on the medical office/hospital/urgent/specialty clinics
where they are employed. Below are some specific job duties that are very
common in the day-in-the-life of a Medical Assistant (these duties include, but
are not limited to the following):
Greeting patients and checking them in at the Waiting room window
Collecting vital signs from patients
Answer phones as needed
Assist with scheduling patient appointments
Data entry of patient information in an electronic medical record (EMR)
Using various computer applications
Transmitting prescription refills
Insurance coding & billing
Obtain or completing procedures for preauthorizations/hospital
admissions/outside testing/etc.
Collecting specimens for Point-of-Care testing or send outs to reference
labs
Venipuncture/Examination Assistance to provider/other duties as needed
What will help Medical Interns 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.
Jamie Myers
Education Program Associate, Allied Health CoordinatorPennsylvania State University - Hazleton
Continuing Education Department
What skills stand out on Medical Internship resumes?
Jamie Myers: Bilingual, Phlebotomy, EKGs.
What soft skills should all Medical Interns possess?
Jamie Myers: Critical thinking, problem-solving, dependability.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Interns?
Jamie Myers: Computer skills.
What skills will help Medical Interns earn the most?
Jamie Myers: Bilingual, Phlebotomy, and Computer.
Michelle Boller
Chair, Business Technology, Associate Professor and Program DirectorUniversity of Montana
Business Technology Depatment
What skills will help Medical Interns earn the most?
Michelle Boller: Proficiency in all of the expectations of your particular clinic, as well as all skills that fall under a medical assistant's scope of practice, will bring promotions to supervisory or management roles. Consistently gaining knowledge in all things medicine and clinical skills will bring pay increases.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Interns?
Yiye Zhang Ph.D.: I am very proud to have witnessed the efficiency and dedication of our colleagues around the globe during the pandemic. Medical informaticians worked around the clock virtually while maintaining close collaboration with our clinical colleagues to deliver the necessary data to inform healthcare policy and assist with clinical decision-making. In this sense, you could say that the impact on our job productivity was kept minimal.
I do think the pandemic will have an enduring impact on everyone, including our graduates, through the changing mode of learning, the changing economy, and the changing avenue for networking and job hunting. It requires a change in perspective in terms of how we learn and network, but it also opens the door to career opportunities that, perhaps, were impossible to consider due to the physical distance.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Medical Interns to find work opportunities?
Yiye Zhang Ph.D.: The healthcare sector: hospitals, clinics, public health departments, biotechnology, healthcare consulting, among others. We train our graduates with medical informatics knowledge and skill sets so they can take their informatics training to bring data-driven insights to healthcare across the nation.