Medical assistants support licensed physicians, nurses, and other medical staff by performing administrative and clinical tasks in doctor’s offices and hospitals.
California is the 3rd highest paying state for medical assistants, AND becoming one in California requires less formal education than most other roles in the industry.
Online Classes
To get started, you should take an online certification course like the ones below.
What Are The Benefits of Course?
Certification preparation is one of the main benefits. Whether it’s CMAA, CMA, RMA or another, the instructors will help you decide on what the right certification path is for you.
Exam fees are usually included in the price.
What Do You Study?
Medical assistant programs in California often feature classes on:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology
- Medical terminology
- Laboratory procedures
- Office and administrative skills
- Clinical applications
How Much Does It Cost?
The programs above are approximately $1,900 and financing is available, if desired.
How Long is the Program?
160 course hours which can be completed in 6 months or less.
Local Trade Schools
- Anaheim, Ontario, Los Angeles
- Ontario
- Bakersfield
- San Francisco, San Jose
- Sacramento
- Stockton
- Fairfield
- Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton
- San Diego, San Jose
- Salinas
- Canyon Country
- San Francisco
- Garden Grove, North Hollywood, San Bernardino, San Diego
- Cupertino
- Glendale, West Covina, San Diego, Bakersfield, Riverside
- Concord, Fresno, Modesto, Sacramento, San Jose, Van Nuys
- Bakersfield, Lancaster, Temecula
- San Jose
- Clovis, Modesto, Redding
- Anaheim, Fairfield, Rancho Cordova, Riverside, West Covina
- Richmond
- Long Beach
- Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Palm Desert, Visalia, Fairfield, La Quinta
- Panorama City
- West Covina, Pomona, Glendale, Riverside, Anaheim, Long Beach, San Diego, Bakersfield
- San Diego, San Marcos
- Alhambra, Anaheim, Ontario, Riverside
- Bakersfield, Delano, Fresno, Hesperia, Lancaster, Salida, Ontario, Porterville, Rancho Cordova, Temecula, Visalia, Sacramento, San Leandro, Santa Maria, Rancho Mirage
- San Jose
- San Jose
- Orange
- Reseda
- Colton, San Diego, Anaheim
- Anaheim, Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Fresno, Gardena, Huntington Park, Ontario, Riverside, Sacramento, San Marcos, Stockton, West Covina
- Bakersfield, Concord, Fremont, Hayward, Sacramento, San Jose, South San Francisco
American Career College (Rating: 3.2 out 5)
9 month medical assisting diploma program with externship. 2 days per week in class and online.
Arizona College of Nursing (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
7 month Medical Assistant program with Phlebotomy hybrid training program. Includes 6-week clinical externship.
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield College’s Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate of Achievement prepares students for entry-level roles in both administrative and clinical healthcare settings. This short-term program equips learners with essential skills such as taking vital signs, assisting with procedures, managing patient records, and supporting physicians in a variety of medical environments. Graduates are qualified for positions like clinical medical assistant, EKG technician, and patient care technician in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices.
Bay Area Medical Academy (Rating: 4.1 out 5)
Bay Area Medical Academy’s 9-month, 900-hour hybrid Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy and EKG program prepares students for three nationally recognized credentials: National Certified Medical Assistant, Certified EKG Technician (CET), and California Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1). The curriculum combines online coursework, hands-on labs, and a 200-hour externship, equipping graduates with both administrative and clinical skills for immediate entry into the healthcare field. Accredited by multiple agencies, the program offers flexible scheduling, financial aid options, and high employer recognition, with many students hired directly from their externships.
Blake Austin College (Rating: 3.4 out 5)
The Clinical Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy program at Blake Austin College prepares students for various patient care duties under the guidance of experienced instructors. The program covers essential knowledge of body systems and medical laboratory tests, along with training in Venipuncture, pharmacology, and cardiology assistance techniques. Graduates will complete an externship, fulfill California's licensure requirements, and be ready to work in diverse healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical offices, and laboratories.
Bradford College of Nursing (Rating: 4.8 out 5)
Bradford College of Nursing’s Medical Assistant Program is a 920-hour, 29-week course (including externship) that trains students in both administrative and clinical skills for entry-level healthcare positions. Evening classes run from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, covering topics such as anatomy and physiology, insurance billing, appointment scheduling, phlebotomy, medication administration, and patient preparation. Graduates are prepared for certification and employment in clinical settings, with tuition assistance options available through the WIOA program.
CALRegional Training Institute Stockton (Rating: 4.9 out 5)
The California Medical Assistant Program provides rapid, hands-on training to become a clinical medical assistant, typically taking 8 to 10 weeks for program completion. For $2,995 or less, this training includes 160 hours of classroom instruction and a guaranteed 160-hour externship, preparing students to take and earn the national Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam administered by the AMCA.
Carrington College (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
Center for Employment Training (Rating: 4 out 5)
Central Coast College (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
Charter College (Rating: 3.2 out 5)
City College of San Francisco (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
City College of San Francisco’s Medical Assisting program trains students for versatile roles in outpatient healthcare through a blend of administrative and clinical coursework. Offering multiple certificates and associate degree tracks, the program prepares graduates for positions like medical receptionist, biller, or clinic assistant. Many credentials can be completed in under two years, with flexible options including online and part-time pathways to meet varied career goals.
Concorde Career College (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
De Anza College (Rating: 4.3 out 5)
Glendale Career College (Rating: 4 out 5)
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts (Rating: 3.7 out 5)
High Desert Medical College (Rating: 3.1 out 5)
Institute for Business & Technology (Rating: 3.3 out 5)
Institute of Technology (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
InterCoast Colleges (Rating: 3.4 out 5)
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
Long Beach City College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
Long Beach City College’s Medical Assisting program prepares students for entry-level administrative and clinical roles in healthcare through a curriculum that integrates cognitive, psychomotor, and interpersonal skill development. Students can earn an Associate in Science degree or Certificates of Achievement in combined, administrative, or clinical options, along with short-term Certificates of Accomplishment in areas like EMT, medical billing, and phlebotomy. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and hands-on training needed to work confidently in physician offices and medical facilities.
Milan Institute (Rating: 4.7 out 5)
36 week program with clinical externship.
National Career College (Rating: 4.5 out 5)
North-West College (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
Pima Medical Institute (Rating: 4.6 out 5)
9 months. Online / in class certification course.
Platt College (Rating: 3 out 5)
San Joaquin Valley College (Rating: 3.9 out 5)
SJVC’s Clinical Medical Assisting program equips graduates for roles in medical offices and clinics through hands-on training. Students can earn a Certificate of Completion in as few as 9 months or an Associate of Science Degree, with courses available online or at 14 campuses in California. The program covers essential skills such as drawing blood, maintaining patient records, preparing patients for exams, and lab work protocols. Accredited and offering affordable tuition, SJVC prepares students for real-world medical assisting careers.
San Jose City College (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
Silicon Valley Career Technical Education (Rating: 4.4 out 5)
South Coast College (Rating: 4.9 out 5)
Southern California Health Institute (Rating: 4 out 5)
Summit College (Rating: 3.6 out 5)
Administrative & clinical Medical Asst training.
UEI College (Rating: 4.2 out 5)
10 month diploma program includes online and in class sessions. Preps students for the Nationally Certified Medical Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exams.
Unitek College (Rating: 3.7 out 5)
Unitek College’s Medical Assisting program offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for entry-level roles in the healthcare field in as little as 9 months. The hybrid program combines online instruction with hands-on lab exercises and a 160-hour externship, covering essential administrative and clinical skills such as medical office procedures, anatomy, pharmacology, and diagnostic imaging. Graduates will earn 28 semester credits and be equipped with the knowledge and practical experience needed for immediate employment in various healthcare settings.
Salary Range
- Salary.com: $44,713
- ZipRecruiter: $44,450
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: $50,900
- Indeed: $51,717
Below are some average salaries and hourly wages for areas of the state, according to BLS data.
| Location | Per Hour | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $20.87 | $43,410 |
| Chico | $21.82 | $45,390 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California | $22.39 | $46,570 |
| El Centro | $20.71 | $43,070 |
| Fresno | $22.33 | $46,440 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $21.17 | $44,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $22.35 | $46,480 |
| Madera | $21.36 | $44,420 |
| Merced | $19.20 | $39,930 |
| Modesto | $24.59 | $51,140 |
| Napa | $27.22 | $56,610 |
| North Coast Region of California | $22.66 | $47,120 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California | $22.47 | $46,730 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $24.01 | $49,930 |
| Redding | $20.84 | $43,350 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $21.43 | $44,580 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade | $28.70 | $59,690 |
| Salinas | $22.20 | $46,170 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $23.37 | $48,610 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $29.89 | $62,160 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $28.93 | $60,180 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $23.28 | $48,420 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $24.61 | $51,190 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $23.86 | $49,630 |
| Santa Rosa | $28.23 | $58,720 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $24.05 | $50,030 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $32.02 | $66,590 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $21.36 | $44,420 |
| Yuba City | $22.38 | $46,560 |
Occupation: Occupation:Medical Assistants (SOC Code319092)
source: data.bls.gov
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward ($29.89/hr, $62,160 annually) and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ($28.93/hr, $60,180 annually) offer some of the highest wages, likely due to higher costs of living and the strong healthcare industry presence in these tech-driven economies.
Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade ($28.70/hr, $59,690 annually) and Santa Rosa ($28.23/hr, $58,720 annually) also provide competitive salaries, benefiting from their metropolitan healthcare networks.
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura ($24.01/hr, $49,930 annually), Stockton-Lodi ($24.05/hr, $50,030 annually), and Modesto ($24.59/hr, $51,140 annually) offer slightly above-average wages, possibly due to growing healthcare demand in expanding suburban areas.
Employer Examples
California medical assistants earn competitive salaries, with wages ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, depending on location, certification, and specialty.
- Sutter Health (San Francisco): $32.04 – $40.04 per hour.
- Kaiser Permanente (Woodland Hills): $28.98 – $32.10 per hour (Dermatology).
- All’s Well (San Diego – Home Visits): $25 per hour.
- UCSF Health (San Francisco – Primary Care): $29.63 – $36.99 per hour.
CA Medical Assistant Requirements
Both certified and non-certified medical assistants must meet the specific requirements of the Medical Practice Act and the Medical Board of California.
According to these rules, aspiring medical assistants can take one of the following two paths:
- Train under the supervision of a licensed medical professional, such as a physician, who can determine your competence as a medical assistant OR
- Complete a medical assistant training program at an accredited postsecondary school, technical institution, or community college.
Before applying for a CMA job, there are a few medical assistant requirements in California that you’ll need to meet.
GED
Most trade schools and certifying agencies require you to have a high school diploma or GED before applying to a technical or community college for their medical assistant program.
Those looking to earn their associate degree may have to achieve a certain GPA to qualify.
California Certified Medical Assistant
Once you graduate from an accredited institution, consider becoming certified in the state of California.
A California Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) meets the qualifications of the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants (CCBMA), which proctors official examinations to certify medical assistants in CA.
Requirements
To become a CMA in California, you must pass an objective exam through an official Medical Board of California organization, such as the CCBMA or the American Association of Medical Assistants.
The CCBMA proctors three types of tests:
- basic
- administrative
- clinical exams
Medical assistants must take at least two of them.
To take the medical assistant certification exam in California, applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Possess a current CPR certification
- Have a U.S. government-issued ID that matches your name on the application
- Graduate a medical assistant program or be currently employed as a medical assistant
It costs $145 to take the basic test along with the administrative or clinical exam through the CCBMA. Those who wish to take all three exam options must pay a fee of $185.
Other organizations have varying requirements and fees and typically sell or supply additional study materials.
Do Medical Assistants Have to Be Certified in CA?
The state of California does allow non-certified medical assistants to work in medical facilities. However, there are benefits to earning your certification.
First, some individual employers may require state or national certifications before considering you for hire. Plus, being certified gives you a competitive edge, proving to employers that you are more competent.
Job Duties for Medical Assistants in California
Medical assistants in California play a crucial role in healthcare, providing both administrative and clinical support in a variety of settings.
Employers such as UCSF Health, Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Health, and All’s Well in San Diego seek skilled professionals to assist in primary care, specialty clinics, and telehealth/home visit programs.
Non-Certified Medical Assistants (NCMA)
Non-certified medical assistants perform non-invasive support tasks, primarily in administration and facility management. Their duties include:
- Scheduling appointments and managing patient records (as seen in administrative roles at Sutter Health).
- Filling out insurance forms and handling billing.
- Preparing lab equipment and maintaining exam rooms for patient visits.
- Providing basic patient support, such as rooming patients and gathering initial health information.
While non-certified medical assistants play an essential role in patient care logistics, their responsibilities are limited to non-clinical tasks.
Certified Medical Assistants (CMA)
Certified medical assistants, on the other hand, have a broader scope of practice and work more directly with patients and medical personnel.
CMAs in California are responsible for:
- Administering medications and assisting in wound care (as required by UCSF Health).
- Preparing patients for examinations and minor procedures (important in Kaiser Permanente’s dermatology clinic).
- Taking and recording vital signs, drawing blood, and performing lab tests (as seen in UCLA Health’s Deep Brain Stimulation Clinic).
- Supporting specialized treatments in fields such as oncology, dermatology, neurology, and home healthcare (as seen with Jobot’s Oncology Clinic in Laguna Beach and All’s Well in San Diego).
CMAs typically earn higher salaries and have greater job opportunities than non-certified assistants due to their expanded skill set.
Key Personality Traits for Medical Assistant
Since medical assistants juggle multiple responsibilities in fast-paced environments, they must be:
- Organized and detail-oriented – Critical for handling patient records, insurance forms, and medication administration.
- Empathetic and patient-focused – Essential for providing quality patient care and assisting physicians with examinations.
- Strong communicators – Medical assistants at UCSF and Sutter Health are expected to coordinate between doctors, nurses, and patients, ensuring smooth operations.
- Adaptable under pressure – In high-stress environments like emergency rooms and specialty clinics, medical assistants must remain calm and efficient.
Work Environment & Job Settings
Medical assistants in California work in diverse healthcare settings, including:
1. Primary Care Clinics & Hospitals
- At UCSF Health and Sutter Health, medical assistants support doctors with patient exams, schedule follow-ups, and ensure accurate medical record-keeping.
- In large hospital systems like Kaiser Permanente, medical assistants are cross-trained to handle administrative and clinical responsibilities.
2. Specialty Clinics (Dermatology, Oncology, Neurology)
- Kaiser Permanente hires medical assistants for Mohs surgery, cosmetic dermatology, and wound care.
- UCLA Health’s Neurophysiology Clinic requires medical assistants to prepare patients for specialized neurological procedures.
- Jobot’s Oncology Clinic in Laguna Beach offers opportunities for medical assistants in cancer care, infusion therapy, and pain management.
3. Telehealth & Home Healthcare
- All’s Well in San Diego hires bilingual medical assistants to perform telehealth consultations and in-home patient care.
- These roles require technical skills for using electronic medical records (EMR) and virtual healthcare platforms.
Conclusion
Medical assistants in California have strong job prospects, particularly in hospitals, specialty clinics, and telehealth roles. Certified medical assistants enjoy greater responsibilities, higher salaries, and expanded career opportunities.
Whether working in primary care, dermatology, neurology, oncology, or home healthcare, medical assistants are essential healthcare professionals ensuring efficient operations and quality patient care.