National Salary Overview
VS
Medical Assistants earns $2,886 more (7.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$41,533
$38,647
Average (Mean) Salary
$42,404
$39,464
Total Employment
763,020
1,351,770
States with Higher Pay
48
3
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Nursing Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 48 states; Nursing Assistants pays more in 3.
| State | Medical Assistants | Nursing Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,050 | $30,540 | +$3,510 | ||
| Alaska | $50,160 | $45,480 | +$4,680 | ||
| Arizona | $43,770 | $39,920 | +$3,850 | ||
| Arkansas | $35,050 | $31,230 | +$3,820 | ||
| California | $46,690 | $45,170 | +$1,520 | ||
| Colorado | $45,770 | $42,520 | +$3,250 | ||
| Connecticut | $45,780 | $40,890 | +$4,890 | ||
| Delaware | $40,250 | $38,240 | +$2,010 | ||
| District of Columbia | $48,710 | $46,220 | +$2,490 | ||
| Florida | $38,340 | $36,340 | +$2,000 | ||
| Georgia | $38,060 | $34,710 | +$3,350 | ||
| Hawaii | $46,930 | $44,080 | +$2,850 | ||
| Idaho | $40,670 | $37,120 | +$3,550 | ||
| Illinois | $42,850 | $39,510 | +$3,340 | ||
| Indiana | $40,680 | $36,790 | +$3,890 | ||
| Iowa | $42,980 | $37,340 | +$5,640 | ||
| Kansas | $37,670 | $35,450 | +$2,220 | ||
| Kentucky | $37,140 | $36,510 | +$630 | ||
| Louisiana | $34,280 | $29,070 | +$5,210 | ||
| Maine | $44,610 | $43,120 | +$1,490 | ||
| Maryland | $44,010 | $38,620 | +$5,390 | ||
| Massachusetts | $47,770 | $44,200 | +$3,570 | ||
| Michigan | $38,300 | $37,940 | +$360 | ||
| Minnesota | $48,890 | $41,940 | +$6,950 | ||
| Mississippi | $34,040 | $29,310 | +$4,730 | ||
| Missouri | $38,260 | $36,260 | +$2,000 | ||
| Montana | $44,040 | $37,970 | +$6,070 | ||
| Nebraska | $39,870 | $37,530 | +$2,340 | ||
| Nevada | $39,940 | $42,200 | $-2,260 | ||
| New Hampshire | $46,240 | $43,940 | +$2,300 | ||
| New Jersey | $45,340 | $41,450 | +$3,890 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,640 | $35,400 | +$2,240 | ||
| New York | $45,440 | $45,890 | $-450 | ||
| North Carolina | $40,190 | $36,010 | +$4,180 | ||
| North Dakota | $40,880 | $40,650 | +$230 | ||
| Ohio | $38,280 | $38,030 | +$250 | ||
| Oklahoma | $37,240 | $33,320 | +$3,920 | ||
| Oregon | $48,350 | $46,260 | +$2,090 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $39,480 | $38,540 | +$940 | ||
| Rhode Island | $43,980 | $41,600 | +$2,380 | ||
| South Carolina | $37,420 | $35,090 | +$2,330 | ||
| South Dakota | $36,280 | $35,720 | +$560 | ||
| Tennessee | $37,350 | $35,040 | +$2,310 | ||
| Texas | $37,570 | $35,110 | +$2,460 | ||
| Utah | $40,270 | $37,270 | +$3,000 | ||
| Vermont | $44,480 | $40,460 | +$4,020 | ||
| Virginia | $40,240 | $36,820 | +$3,420 | ||
| Washington | $52,600 | $46,000 | +$6,600 | ||
| West Virginia | $34,340 | $35,490 | $-1,150 | ||
| Wisconsin | $46,320 | $40,010 | +$6,310 | ||
| Wyoming | $38,730 | $36,710 | +$2,020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Medical Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
On average across all states, a Medical Assistants earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $2,886 (7.5%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Assistants earn more than a Nursing Assistants?
A Medical Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Nursing Assistants in 48 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Nursing Assistants pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Nursing Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $41,533 per year, compared to $38,647 for a Nursing Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 763,020 Medical Assistants positions and 1,351,770 Nursing Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Medical Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
Both Medical Assistants and Nursing Assistants 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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