National Salary Overview
VS
Medical Assistants earns $2,790 more (6.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$44,602
$41,812
Average (Mean) Salary
$45,471
$42,553
Total Employment
817,850
1,448,920
States with Higher Pay
47
4
Salary by State: Medical Assistants vs Nursing Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Assistants pays more in 47 states; Nursing Assistants pays more in 4.
| State | Medical Assistants | Nursing Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,100 | $34,140 | +$1,960 | ||
| Alaska | $52,560 | $46,370 | +$6,190 | ||
| Arizona | $45,940 | $44,780 | +$1,160 | ||
| Arkansas | $37,760 | $34,430 | +$3,330 | ||
| California | $49,660 | $47,630 | +$2,030 | ||
| Colorado | $48,400 | $47,380 | +$1,020 | ||
| Connecticut | $47,430 | $44,790 | +$2,640 | ||
| Delaware | $44,490 | $42,030 | +$2,460 | ||
| District of Columbia | $51,050 | $47,700 | +$3,350 | ||
| Florida | $43,680 | $37,510 | +$6,170 | ||
| Georgia | $41,600 | $37,680 | +$3,920 | ||
| Hawaii | $48,410 | $45,350 | +$3,060 | ||
| Idaho | $44,700 | $38,650 | +$6,050 | ||
| Illinois | $46,090 | $45,960 | +$130 | ||
| Indiana | $45,110 | $38,330 | +$6,780 | ||
| Iowa | $45,480 | $39,350 | +$6,130 | ||
| Kansas | $39,510 | $38,010 | +$1,500 | ||
| Kentucky | $39,270 | $38,370 | +$900 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,320 | $30,510 | +$5,810 | ||
| Maine | $47,580 | $47,070 | +$510 | ||
| Maryland | $46,410 | $43,240 | +$3,170 | ||
| Massachusetts | $49,460 | $46,680 | +$2,780 | ||
| Michigan | $39,870 | $39,570 | +$300 | ||
| Minnesota | $50,480 | $46,680 | +$3,800 | ||
| Mississippi | $35,360 | $31,520 | +$3,840 | ||
| Missouri | $40,440 | $37,680 | +$2,760 | ||
| Montana | $46,820 | $40,900 | +$5,920 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,370 | $40,000 | +$7,370 | ||
| Nevada | $45,200 | $45,490 | $-290 | ||
| New Hampshire | $48,020 | $47,870 | +$150 | ||
| New Jersey | $47,210 | $46,830 | +$380 | ||
| New Mexico | $39,230 | $39,390 | $-160 | ||
| New York | $48,000 | $48,590 | $-590 | ||
| North Carolina | $45,140 | $38,460 | +$6,680 | ||
| North Dakota | $45,980 | $45,820 | +$160 | ||
| Ohio | $42,810 | $39,010 | +$3,800 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $35,930 | +$2,820 | ||
| Oregon | $50,410 | $49,830 | +$580 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | $44,590 | $-670 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,190 | $46,440 | +$750 | ||
| South Carolina | $41,160 | $37,220 | +$3,940 | ||
| South Dakota | $41,870 | $38,800 | +$3,070 | ||
| Tennessee | $39,570 | $37,990 | +$1,580 | ||
| Texas | $39,520 | $37,500 | +$2,020 | ||
| Utah | $45,360 | $39,840 | +$5,520 | ||
| Vermont | $47,250 | $47,130 | +$120 | ||
| Virginia | $44,740 | $43,200 | +$1,540 | ||
| Washington | $59,290 | $49,180 | +$10,110 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,180 | $36,720 | +$460 | ||
| Wisconsin | $48,680 | $45,130 | +$3,550 | ||
| Wyoming | $40,920 | $39,160 | +$1,760 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Medical Assistants vs Nursing Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $2,790 (6.7%) based on 2025 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 47 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Nursing Assistants pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Assistants vs Nursing Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Assistants is $44,602 per year, compared to $41,812 for a Nursing Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 817,850 Medical Assistants positions and 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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