Medical Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Medical Assistants

Median Salary
$41,533
Average (Mean)
$42,404
Employed Nationwide
763,020
VS

Medical Equipment Preparers

Median Salary
$43,604
Average (Mean)
$45,305
Employed Nationwide
66,810
Medical Equipment Preparers earns $2,070 more (5.0%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $41,533 $43,604
Average (Mean) Salary $42,404 $45,305
Total Employment 763,020 66,810
States with Higher Pay 15 36

Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 15 states; Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 36.

State Medical Assistants Medical Equipment Preparers Difference
Alabama $34,050
$32,920
+$1,130
Alaska $50,160
$51,190
$-1,030
Arizona $43,770
$43,810
$-40
Arkansas $35,050
$35,350
$-300
California $46,690
$59,960
$-13,270
Colorado $45,770
$47,840
$-2,070
Connecticut $45,780
$46,400
$-620
Delaware $40,250
$50,550
$-10,300
District of Columbia $48,710
$51,860
$-3,150
Florida $38,340
$39,990
$-1,650
Georgia $38,060
$44,220
$-6,160
Hawaii $46,930
$52,320
$-5,390
Idaho $40,670
$38,360
+$2,310
Illinois $42,850
$46,020
$-3,170
Indiana $40,680
$38,960
+$1,720
Iowa $42,980
$38,430
+$4,550
Kansas $37,670
$38,480
$-810
Kentucky $37,140
$41,650
$-4,510
Louisiana $34,280
$35,660
$-1,380
Maine $44,610
$44,230
+$380
Maryland $44,010
$47,640
$-3,630
Massachusetts $47,770
$49,570
$-1,800
Michigan $38,300
$41,560
$-3,260
Minnesota $48,890
$48,410
+$480
Mississippi $34,040
$31,410
+$2,630
Missouri $38,260
$40,870
$-2,610
Montana $44,040
$41,600
+$2,440
Nebraska $39,870
$37,460
+$2,410
Nevada $39,940
$43,510
$-3,570
New Hampshire $46,240
$45,450
+$790
New Jersey $45,340
$51,170
$-5,830
New Mexico $37,640
$39,110
$-1,470
New York $45,440
$49,870
$-4,430
North Carolina $40,190
$41,500
$-1,310
North Dakota $40,880
$37,560
+$3,320
Ohio $38,280
$42,540
$-4,260
Oklahoma $37,240
$40,890
$-3,650
Oregon $48,350
$48,220
+$130
Pennsylvania $39,480
$44,860
$-5,380
Rhode Island $43,980
$50,020
$-6,040
South Carolina $37,420
$39,770
$-2,350
South Dakota $36,280
$40,030
$-3,750
Tennessee $37,350
$38,770
$-1,420
Texas $37,570
$44,460
$-6,890
Utah $40,270
$43,210
$-2,940
Vermont $44,480
$41,790
+$2,690
Virginia $40,240
$43,820
$-3,580
Washington $52,600
$49,070
+$3,530
West Virginia $34,340
$40,800
$-6,460
Wisconsin $46,320
$44,880
+$1,440
Wyoming $38,730
$45,790
$-7,060

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Medical Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
On average across all states, a Medical Equipment Preparers earns more than a Medical Assistants. The national median salary difference is $2,070 (5.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Assistants earn more than a Medical Equipment Preparers?
A Medical Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Medical Equipment Preparers in 15 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 36 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $41,533 per year, compared to $43,604 for a Medical Equipment Preparers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 763,020 Medical Assistants positions and 66,810 Medical Equipment Preparers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Medical Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
Both Medical Assistants and Medical Equipment Preparers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.