Highest Paying Medical Assistant Jobs in New York City 2025: Where to Train, Get Certified, and Start Your Career
Highest Paying Medical Assistant Jobs in New York City 2025: Where to Train, Get Certified, and Start Your Career
Why Focus on NYC?
New York City’s healthcare market is among the most competitive and rewarding in the U.S. With a dense population, a mix of public and private hospitals, specialty clinics, and nonprofit health systems across five boroughs, medical assistants (MAs) in NYC can access higher pay, more specialization, and faster growth than in many other places.
But competition is stiff. Employers often expect formal training, hands-on experience, and certifications. To land the top‐tier MA roles, you’ll want to know which employers pay well, where to train, and how to position yourself.
Below is a detailed guide for 2025:
1. What “Highest Paying” Looks Like in NYC in 2025
The average hourly rate for medical assistants in NYC is about $22.06/hour according to Indeed job listings. Indeed
Some listings and salary aggregators suggest certified MAs or those with more experience earn higher: for example, a “Certified Medical Assistant – New York, NY” listing shows ~$22.27/hr. Indeed
Glassdoor reports the average annual salary in NYC for MAs is ~$51,655. Glassdoor
In NYC, higher pay often comes with specialization (e.g. working in dermatology, cardiology, surgical clinics), hospital positions, or having multiple certifications.
What that means in practice:
Typical base salaries for good MA roles in NYC will be in the range $45,000 to $60,000+ depending on shift, specialty, and employer.
Hourly rates in top positions or specialty settings may push toward $25–$30/hr or more, especially with overtime, evening/weekend differentials, or bonuses.
2. Top Employers & Specialty Areas to Target
To find the higher-paying MA roles, aim for:
Large hospital systems (e.g. NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, Northwell)
Specialty practices (dermatology, orthopedics, cardiology, plastic surgery)
Clinics in affluent neighborhoods or premium practices (Midtown Manhattan, Upper East/West Side, Tribeca)
Government, research, or academic health systems that may offer Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements or unionized roles
Working in a hospital or specialty clinic will often come with better benefits, shift differentials, and stability.
3. Where to Train in NYC (and Which Programs Are Worth It)
To compete for top roles, formal training and certification help immensely. Here are notable NYC programs and schools to consider:
Medical Training Institute of New York (MTI, Queens/NYC area): ~720 clock hours covering clinical & administrative skills, with externship. Medical Training Institute of New York
LaGuardia Community College – CCMA program: Their CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) training includes hands-on modules and has strong pass rates. LaGuardia Community College
Mandl School, The College of Allied Health (NYC): Offers a medical assisting certificate program. mandl.edu
Allen School in Brooklyn: A trade school offering medical assistant certification, combining classroom instruction with clinical training. allenschool.edu -+1
AMAT (Austin Medical Assistant Training): In NYC, this school focuses on job placement and flexible scheduling (days, evenings, weekends). Austin Medical -
St. Paul’s School of Nursing (Queens / Staten Island): Their MA program includes both administrative and clinical training tailored to NYC health systems. stpaulsschoolofnursing.edu
New Age Training (Manhattan): Offers MA training in a central NYC location. New Age Training
Things to check when evaluating programs:
Accreditation and acceptance of externships/internships by NYC hospitals
Certification exam preparation (CMA, RMA, CCMA, etc.)
Clinical/externship placements inside NYC health systems
Flexible schedules (evenings/weekends)
Job placement support
4. Getting Certified (and Why It Matters in NYC)
New York State does not legally require a credential to work as a medical assistant, but in NYC the market heavily prefers (or expects) certified MAs. Certification signals competence, helps during hiring, and tends to push your pay upward.
Common certifications include:
CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) via NHA
CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) via AAMA
RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) via AMT
Some training programs include exam prep or even exams in their curriculum.
For example, the Clinical Medical Assistant program at Lehman College reports that MA pay in NYC is around $23/hr (~$60,000/year) for certified roles. Lehman College
5. Strategies to Land the Top Positions
Here’s how to enhance your chances for a high-paying MA job in NYC:
Focus on specialization — pursue rotations or electives in high-demand areas (e.g. dermatology, surgery, cardiology).
Obtain multiple certifications — clinical + administrative credentials.
Get a strong externship or internship — ideally in a hospital or recognized NYC clinic.
Work flexible hours — evenings, weekends, holidays often pay more.
Build bilingual or cultural competencies — NYC is diverse; ability to communicate across languages is valued.
Network inside hospitals & clinics — many jobs are filled by internal referrals.
Keep learning & cross-train — learn phlebotomy, EKG, billing, and EMR systems to add value.
6. Example Career Path: From Training to High Earning in NYC
Maria’s Journey (hypothetical but realistic):
Maria enrolls in the MTI NYC program (720 hours) including clinical placement.
She passes the RMA exam and earns additional EKG certification.
She lands a medical assistant role in a midtown Manhattan dermatology/mohs surgery clinic at ~$28/hr (with overtime and holiday shifts).
After 2 years, she moves to a large hospital system (NYU Langone) in a specialty cardiology department. With hospital differentials and weekend shifts, she earns ~$60,000+ yearly.
She also mentors junior MAs and helps with training, gaining leadership experience and opening paths for future roles (office manager, clinical coordinator, or transitioning to nursing).
7. Final Thoughts & Next Steps
If you're aiming for one of the highest paying medical assistant jobs in NYC in 2025:
Start with quality training — pick a program that places you in a real NYC clinic or hospital.
Certify aggressively — aim for clinical + administrative credentials.
Choose your setting carefully — hospital and specialty clinics pay more than primary care offices.
Work strategically — shifts, overtime, bilingual skills, and cross-training boost your value.
Continue growing — with experience, leadership, or moving toward related healthcare paths, your earning potential can climb further.
NYC’s healthcare landscape is challenging, but for those with the right preparation and ambition, it offers some of the best opportunities in the country for skilled and certified medical assistants.
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