Who Gets Paid More: Medical Assistant or CNA?
Who Gets Paid More: Medical Assistant or CNA?
If you are considering a career in healthcare, you may be wondering: who gets paid more, a medical assistant (MA) or a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?
In the United States, medical assistants generally earn somewhat more than nursing assistants and orderlies, although salaries vary substantially by location, experience, employer, and type of healthcare facility.
The two careers also differ considerably in their daily responsibilities, training requirements, and opportunities for advancement.
Medical Assistant vs. CNA Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants had a median annual wage of $44,200 in May 2024. Nursing assistants, which include many CNA positions, had a median annual wage of $38,130.
That puts the national median for medical assistants roughly $6,000 higher per year.
CareerMedian Annual PayMedical Assistant$44,200Nursing Assistant/CNA$38,130
Actual salaries can be higher or lower depending on the state and employer.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical assistants typically work in outpatient healthcare settings such as physician offices, clinics, and medical practices.
Their responsibilities can include both clinical and administrative work. Depending on the employer and state, medical assistants may take patient histories, measure vital signs, prepare patients for examinations, assist physicians with procedures, schedule appointments, maintain medical records, and handle other administrative duties.
This combination of clinical and office responsibilities makes medical assisting different from CNA work.
What Does a CNA Do?
Certified nursing assistants primarily provide hands-on care to patients.
CNAs may help patients with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, moving, and using the bathroom. They can also measure vital signs and report changes in a patient's condition to nurses or other healthcare professionals.
CNAs commonly work in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, hospitals, and other long-term-care or healthcare environments.
The work can be physically demanding, and CNAs often spend significant portions of their shifts directly caring for patients.
Which Career Takes Longer to Train?
Medical assistant and CNA programs can both be relatively short compared with many other healthcare careers.
CNA training is generally designed to prepare students for state certification requirements and can often be completed in a matter of weeks or months.
Medical assistant programs vary by school and credential. Certificate and diploma programs can often be completed relatively quickly, while associate-degree programs generally take longer.
Students should check the specific requirements in their state before choosing a program.
Which Career Has Better Advancement Opportunities?
Medical assisting can provide a pathway into other healthcare careers, particularly for people who want experience in an outpatient medical environment.
CNAs can also use their experience as a starting point for additional healthcare education. Some eventually pursue careers as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), or other healthcare professionals.
Neither career automatically leads to a higher-paying position, but additional education and credentials can significantly expand career opportunities.
Should You Become a Medical Assistant or CNA?
The better choice depends on the type of healthcare work you want to perform.
Medical assisting may appeal to someone who wants a combination of clinical and administrative responsibilities in a doctor's office or outpatient clinic.
CNA work may be a better fit for someone who enjoys direct, hands-on patient care and wants to enter the healthcare workforce relatively quickly.
The Bottom Line
Who gets paid more, an MA or CNA?
Nationally, medical assistants have a higher median annual wage than nursing assistants, according to the BLS. In May 2024, the median was $44,200 for medical assistants compared with $38,130 for nursing assistants.
However, salary is only one factor. Training time, working environment, job responsibilities, scheduling, career advancement, and personal interests should all be considered when choosing between medical assisting and CNA work.
