Schools to Become a Medical Assistant in Georgia

Georgia residents seeking a role in the healthcare field will find this job rewarding, fulfilling, and profitable.

Trade Schools & Online Programs

An online certification program from a local trade or vocational school is the best way to get started:

Why Take a Class?

The benefit of most courses is certification prep.  You might be ready to take any of the following certification exams:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAA)
• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
• Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)

Most classes will guide you to the best certification for you.

How Much Does It Cost ?

Certification or diploma courses cost between $2,000 to $3,000 while those who want an associate degree from a community college can pay over $25k.

How Long Does It Take?

A diploma or certification can take 12-18 months, while an associate degree will take you 2 years.

What Will You Study?

Some classes and topics students can learn about while becoming a medical assistant are:

• Medical Terminology
• Diagnostic Procedures
• Medical Assisting Skillset
• Office Skills & Environment
• Transcription
• Recordkeeping
• Anatomy
• Accounting
• Insurance Processing

Other Local Trade Schools

Average Salary Range

• $37,905 – ZipRecruiter.com
• $39,640 – Bureau of Labor Statistics
• $39,787 – Salary.com
• $41,693 – Indeed.com

Below is a list of entry level annual and hourly wages for major regions of Georgia.

Medical assistant wages in Georgia range from $16.04 to $20.08 per hour, translating to $33,370 to $41,760 annually.

Locations	Per Hour	Per Year
Albany	$17.26	$35,910
Athens-Clarke County	$18.62	$38,740
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell	$20.08	$41,760
Augusta-Richmond County	$17.74	$36,900
Brunswick	$17.84	$37,100
Columbus	$17.06	$35,490
Dalton	$17.03	$35,420
East Georgia	$16.08	$33,440
Gainesville	$19.70	$40,980
Hinesville	$17.47	$36,340
Macon	$18.36	$38,180
Middle Georgia	$17.02	$35,410
North Georgia	$17.83	$37,080
Rome	$17.98	$37,390
Savannah	$18.15	$37,750
South Georgia	$16.57	$34,470
Valdosta	$16.04	$33,370
Warner Robins	$16.84	$35,030

_{Occupation:Medical Assistants (SOC Code319092)
source: data.bls.gov}

The highest-paying area is Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell ($20.08/hr, $41,760/year), likely due to higher demand, larger healthcare facilities, and a higher cost of living.

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell leads the state in wages, reflecting its status as Georgia’s largest healthcare hub, with major hospitals, research institutions, and private practices driving salaries upward.

Savannah ($18.15/hr), Augusta ($17.74/hr), and Macon ($18.36/hr) provide slightly higher-than-average wages.

These cities have strong hospital systems, military medical facilities, and higher population densities that contribute to demand for healthcare workers.

Georgia Requirements

While there is no state law that requires a medical assistant to have a certification or license, most employers will want a person to have one.

However, many employers prefer that a person has gone through the proper training and education required to obtain a certification.

Consider the certifications offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

There are a few exams that medical assistants can pass to be certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

These certifications include:

• Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA)
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification
• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification

Career Overview

What Employers in Georgia Look for in a Dental Assistant

Dental assistants play a key role in Georgia’s healthcare system, supporting dentists with both clinical and administrative duties to ensure efficient patient care. Employers across the state—such as Kaiser Permanente in Decatur, Piedmont Healthcare in Peachtree City, and Northside Hospital in Atlanta—seek candidates who can perform essential dental tasks while also managing office responsibilities.

In larger healthcare facilities, dental assistants may specialize in either clinical or administrative roles, whereas in smaller practices, they often balance both duties.

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Core Responsibilities of Dental Assistants in Georgia

1. Chairside Assistance & Patient Care
   • Assist dentists during examinations and procedures, passing instruments and ensuring the patient’s comfort.
   • Take and record vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, particularly in multi-specialty clinics.
   • Prepare patients for dental procedures and treatments, explaining what to expect.
   • Administer fluoride treatments, take impressions, and assist with dental restorations when permitted.
2. Radiology & Diagnostic Support
   • Take and process X-rays (radiographs) to assist in diagnosing dental conditions.
   • Ensure compliance with radiation safety standards and maintain proper patient records.
   • Some employers, like Northside Hospital, prefer candidates with certifications in dental radiology.
3. Sterilization & Equipment Maintenance
   • Properly clean, sterilize, and maintain dental instruments to ensure a sterile environment.
   • Maintain and troubleshoot dental equipment, ensuring everything is in working order for procedures.
4. Administrative & Office Management Tasks
   • Schedule patient appointments and manage electronic health records (EHR) using specialized software.
   • Handle insurance billing, coding, and claims processing for dental treatments.
   • Greet patients, check them in for appointments, and handle phone inquiries regarding treatments.
5. Crossover into Other Medical Specialties
   • Dental assistants in multi-specialty medical environments may perform duties that overlap with medical assistants, such as:
     • Administering injections (as permitted by Georgia law).
     • Collecting and preparing lab samples, such as saliva tests for diagnostic purposes.
     • Providing patient education on oral hygiene, treatment plans, and post-procedure care.
   • Some dental assistants work in pediatric dentistry, assisting with young patients and working alongside pediatricians in hospital settings, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
   • Larger facilities like Grady Health System may hire dental assistants with experience in oral surgery, orthodontics, or endodontics.

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Where Do Dental Assistants Work in Georgia?

Dental assistants are employed in a variety of settings, including:

• General & Specialty Dental Practices – Assisting in family dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, and oral surgery.
• Hospitals & Outpatient Care Centers – Supporting oral surgeons in operating rooms and emergency settings.
• Academic Institutions – Working with dental students and faculty in training environments.
• Community Health Clinics – Providing care to underserved populations, often in collaboration with medical professionals.
• Corporate & Specialty Clinics – Some dental assistants work in multi-specialty groups such as Village Podiatry Centers and USA Clinics Group, where dental health overlaps with overall patient wellness.

Some of the top employers of dental assistants in Georgia include:

• AllCare Primary and Immediate Care
• Emory Healthcare
• Georgia Highlands Medical Services, Inc.
• Grady Health System
• Northside Hospital
• Piedmont Healthcare

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Skills & Certifications That Make Candidates Competitive

1. Certification & Training
   • Many employers prefer or require candidates to be certified through an accredited dental assisting program.
   • Some positions require radiology certification and CPR/BLS (Basic Life Support) certification.
2. Technical & Clinical Skills
   • Experience in four-handed dentistry, sterilization techniques, and patient care is essential.
   • Familiarity with dental software, digital radiography, and electronic health records (EHR) is highly desirable.
3. Interpersonal & Organizational Abilities
   • Strong communication skills to educate patients on dental hygiene and treatment plans.
   • Ability to multitask in a fast-paced dental office setting.
   • Some employers, like Kaiser Permanente, seek candidates who can work effectively in a team and handle high patient volumes.

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Work Schedule & Salary Expectations

• Full-time dental assistants in Georgia generally work 40 hours per week, often including evenings and weekends, particularly in hospital settings.
• Part-time positions are available, especially in private practices or specialty clinics.
• Larger health systems, such as Piedmont Healthcare, may offer overtime opportunities and flexible scheduling.
• Salaries for dental assistants in Georgia vary by location and experience level, with higher wages in metro areas like Atlanta and Augusta.

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Final Takeaways

Employers in Georgia seek skilled, certified, and adaptable dental assistants who can handle a mix of clinical and administrative duties. Whether working in general dentistry, oral surgery, or orthodontics, dental assistants must be comfortable interacting with patients, assisting dentists, managing office tasks, and ensuring proper sterilization protocols.

Opportunities exist in hospitals, specialty clinics, and academic settings, with crossover potential into medical assisting, pediatric care, and radiology.

With proper certification and hands-on experience, dental assistants in Georgia have numerous career advancement opportunities in both dental and medical fields.