National Salary Overview
VS
Medical Equipment Preparers earns $2,029 more (4.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$44,602
$46,632
Average (Mean) Salary
$45,471
$48,352
Total Employment
817,850
77,410
States with Higher Pay
17
34
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 17 states; Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 34.
| State | Medical Assistants | Medical Equipment Preparers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,100 | $35,800 | +$300 | ||
| Alaska | $52,560 | $49,920 | +$2,640 | ||
| Arizona | $45,940 | $46,790 | $-850 | ||
| Arkansas | $37,760 | $38,100 | $-340 | ||
| California | $49,660 | $61,370 | $-11,710 | ||
| Colorado | $48,400 | $47,700 | +$700 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,430 | $47,980 | $-550 | ||
| Delaware | $44,490 | $53,300 | $-8,810 | ||
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $48,670 | +$2,380 | ||
| Florida | $43,680 | $45,890 | $-2,210 | ||
| Georgia | $41,600 | $47,850 | $-6,250 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $51,630 | $-3,220 | ||
| Idaho | $44,700 | $46,450 | $-1,750 | ||
| Illinois | $46,090 | $48,050 | $-1,960 | ||
| Indiana | $45,110 | $45,210 | $-100 | ||
| Iowa | $45,480 | $39,930 | +$5,550 | ||
| Kansas | $39,510 | $45,280 | $-5,770 | ||
| Kentucky | $39,270 | $46,880 | $-7,610 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,320 | $35,960 | +$360 | ||
| Maine | $47,580 | $46,860 | +$720 | ||
| Maryland | $46,410 | $48,680 | $-2,270 | ||
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $58,580 | $-9,120 | ||
| Michigan | $39,870 | $45,670 | $-5,800 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $50,070 | +$410 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $35,160 | +$200 | ||
| Missouri | $40,440 | $43,480 | $-3,040 | ||
| Montana | $46,820 | $44,670 | +$2,150 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,370 | $41,480 | +$5,890 | ||
| Nevada | $45,200 | $46,640 | $-1,440 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,020 | $48,900 | $-880 | ||
| New Jersey | $47,210 | $50,280 | $-3,070 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,230 | $36,720 | +$2,510 | ||
| New York | $48,000 | $57,320 | $-9,320 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,140 | $45,130 | +$10 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,980 | $38,910 | +$7,070 | ||
| Ohio | $42,810 | $45,540 | $-2,730 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $43,460 | $-4,710 | ||
| Oregon | $50,410 | $48,890 | +$1,520 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $45,820 | $-1,900 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,190 | $51,460 | $-4,270 | ||
| South Carolina | $41,160 | $42,510 | $-1,350 | ||
| South Dakota | $41,870 | $42,330 | $-460 | ||
| Tennessee | $39,570 | $46,990 | $-7,420 | ||
| Texas | $39,520 | $46,970 | $-7,450 | ||
| Utah | $45,360 | $47,980 | $-2,620 | ||
| Vermont | $47,250 | $48,990 | $-1,740 | ||
| Virginia | $44,740 | $46,580 | $-1,840 | ||
| Washington | $59,290 | $58,830 | +$460 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,180 | $44,830 | $-7,650 | ||
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $47,570 | +$1,110 | ||
| Wyoming | $40,920 | $48,210 | $-7,290 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $2,029 (4.6%) based on 2025 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 17 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 34 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Medical Equipment Preparers?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $44,602 per year, compared to $46,632 for a Medical Equipment Preparers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Medical Equipment Preparers?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 817,850 Medical Assistants positions and 77,410 Medical Equipment Preparers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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