Did you know that New York is the #4 state in the country for medical assistant employment? It’s a great way to get into the healthcare field.
Trade Schools & Online Programs
To get started, you should find an online certification program from a local school:
- Buffalo, Getzville, Orchard Park, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Liverpool
- Levittown, Medford
- Albany, New York, Amsterdam
- Rego Park, Staten Island
Bryant & Stratton College
Bryant & Stratton teaches its 62-credit AAS in Medical Assisting at all 16 campuses, on campus only, ending with an internship course. CAAHEP accredits it at every campus except Albany. Graduates can sit the AAMA's CMA, NHA's CCMA or AMT's RMA exam; the school's campus pass rates are published in documents we could not read. Albany and Richmond also offer a Medical Assisting Diploma. Tuition for 2026-27 is $10,230 per full-time semester.
Hunter Business School
Hunter's Medical Assistant diploma is 910 clock hours over 7.5 months of day classes or 15 months of evenings, ending with a 190-hour externship at sites the school lists, such as Northwell Health, Optum and CityMD. The program is accredited by CAAHEP and includes a certification-review course. In the school's report to its accreditor, 2020–2024 graduates averaged 82% job placement and a 73% certification exam pass rate. The current published total is $16,392 at either campus, including $1,167 for supplies.
Mildred Elley
Mildred Elley has two medical assistant routes: a 45-credit Clinical Medical Assistant certificate that the school says takes as little as 14 months, and a 60-credit Medical Assistant AOS degree of about two years. Both include clinical training and prepare students for the NHA's CCMA exam, plus its CPT phlebotomy and CET EKG exams. Neither names a programmatic accreditor. 2026-27 tuition is $553 per credit in Albany and $620 in New York City, or about $24,885 and $27,900 for the certificate before fees.
St. Paul’s School of Nursing
Medical Assisting at St. Paul's is an Associate of Occupational Studies of 94 quarter credits, taught in six 12-week terms over 72 weeks and including a 180-hour externship. Courses include clinical, laboratory and invasive clinical procedures alongside medical billing and electronic health records, and the program prepares students for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. The Queens catalog lists morning and evening sections, Monday to Thursday. The 2025-26 catalog total is $36,864.
Benefits of Education
It’s all about certification, and the right course will guide you towards any of these:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CMAA)
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)
Be sure to ask your instructors about which certification to pursue.
How Long Does it Take?
Students can complete a medical assistant certificate program in about 9 to 12 months, or earn an associate’s degree in 2 years.
How Much Does it Cost?
$2,00 to $3,000 for the average certificate program. Most can be financed which would equate to $145 to $200 per month depending on interest.
What Courses Do You Take?
During these programs, aspiring medical assistants take classes like:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medications and Pharmacology
- Charting and Medical Histories
- Patient and Exam Room Prep
- Laboratory Testing
- Office Tasks and Bookkeeping
- HIPPA Regulations and Patient’s Rights
- Standard Safety Protocols
Many medical assistant schools also offer classes on EKG administration, specimen handling and phlebotomy, and wound dressing and injections so they can help LPNs and registered nurses with various medical tasks.
Some schools have campus labs where students can complete practice scenarios that require them to use the patient care and administrative skills they learned in class.
Supervised Clinical Experience
Other schools partner with local clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers so medical assistant students can earn their clinical hours in actual healthcare facilities. To obtain their certificate or degree, aspiring medical assistants in New York must complete 108 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Obtaining Specialty Skills
If you’re hoping to work in a specific field of medicine, such as pediatrics, oncology, radiology, family medicine, or pathology, you may need to take additional classes. Having experience in your chosen specialty can prepare you to work in a particular type of medical lab, clinic, or hospital ward.
New York Medical Assistant Requirements
Certification Exams
Although non-certified applicants can find medical assistant jobs in New York, most employers prefer to hire individuals with an official license.
Eligible candidates can apply to take certification exams through organizations like the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Additional Skills Needed
Most medical assistants in NY will also need to know CPR and first aid or have other Basic Life Support credentials if they want to get a job in a hospital or clinic.
Some trade school programs include the necessary classes and certification exams as part of the standard curriculum. However, you can also complete this training on your own through the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
Average Salary Range
- $47,350 per Bureau of Labor Statistics
- $47,468 per Salary.com
- $50,831 per Indeed.com
- $51K per Glassdoor.com
Using more BLS data, here are some numbers for parts of the state:
| Location | Per Hour | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $20.18 | $41,970 |
| Binghamton | $19.32 | $40,190 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls | $20.64 | $42,930 |
| Capital/Northern New York | $19.86 | $41,310 |
| Central East New York | $19.52 | $40,600 |
| Elmira | $19.19 | $39,910 |
| Glens Falls | $20.29 | $42,200 |
| Ithaca | $22.43 | $46,660 |
| Kingston | $20.36 | $42,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $22.97 | $47,780 |
| Rochester | $20.57 | $42,790 |
| Southwest New York | $19.42 | $40,400 |
| Syracuse | $20.33 | $42,290 |
| Utica-Rome | $20.07 | $41,750 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $18.47 | $38,410 |
Occupation: Medical Assistants (SOC Code319092)
source: data.bls.gov
Specialists in a particular medical discipline can earn more. Salaries for assistants working in private doctor’s offices are also generally higher than wages for those with hospital and nursing home jobs.
Job Description
What Employers in New York Look for in a Medical Assistant
Medical assistants in New York play a vital role in both clinical and administrative settings, assisting physicians, nurses, and specialists in hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, and research institutions. Employers seek candidates with strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask in fast-paced environments.
Top employers such as New York University (NYU), Weill Cornell Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and Health Center, Inc. look for medical assistants who can handle patient care, diagnostic procedures, and administrative tasks while ensuring a high level of professionalism.
Many positions also offer crossover opportunities into dermatology, urgent care, surgical assisting, and specialized fields such as orthopedics and cardiology.
Key Responsibilities of Medical Assistants in New York
1. Clinical Duties
- Assist physicians during physical exams, minor surgeries, and medical procedures.
- Perform vital sign checks, phlebotomy (blood draws), and electrocardiograms (EKGs).
- Administer injections, vaccinations, and medications as directed by the physician.
- Collect and process lab specimens, including blood, urine, and stool samples.
- Prepare patients for diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasounds.
- Ensure exam rooms are sterile, stocked, and ready for patient visits.
2. Administrative Duties
- Schedule patient appointments and manage electronic health records (EHR).
- Answer phone calls, triage patient inquiries, and direct messages to physicians.
- Process insurance claims, billing, and pre-authorizations for procedures.
- Maintain accurate medical documentation, including test results and prescriptions.
3. Specialized Support in New York Medical Facilities
Medical assistants in specialty healthcare settings often take on advanced responsibilities, including:
- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) – Supporting orthopedic procedures and patient rehabilitation.
- Weill Cornell Medicine – Assisting in pediatric, cardiology, and urgent care services.
- Tono Health – Working in cosmetic and medical dermatology, including laser procedures.
- New York University (NYU) Medical Center – Managing patient intake and supporting surgical teams.
- Health Center, Inc. – Handling urgent care patient flow, triaging symptoms, and coordinating transportation.
Where Medical Assistants Work in New York
Medical assistants are needed in a variety of healthcare environments, including:
- Hospitals – Assisting surgeons, specialists, and emergency care teams.
- Primary Care & Specialty Clinics – Working with internal medicine, cardiology, and dermatology providers.
- Urgent Care Centers – Handling triage, wound care, and emergency procedures.
- University & Research-Based Medical Centers – Assisting with clinical studies and advanced patient care.
- Dermatology & Aesthetic Clinics – Supporting cosmetic procedures and patient consultations.
Some of the top medical assistant employers in New York include:
- New York University (NYU) Medical Center
- Weill Cornell Medicine
- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)
- Tono Health (Dermatology & Cosmetic Medicine)
- Health Center, Inc.
- Columbia University Medical Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Montefiore Medical Center
- Mount Sinai Health System
Skills & Certifications That Make Candidates Competitive
Employers in New York often require or prefer:
- Medical Assistant Certification
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) – National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
- CPR & BLS Certification
- Many employers, such as Weill Cornell Medicine and NYU, require Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Technical & Clinical Proficiency
- Experience in phlebotomy, injections, EKGs, and diagnostic imaging.
- Strong knowledge of infection control and OSHA compliance.
- Ability to use electronic medical records (EMR) software.
- Interpersonal & Organizational Skills
- Strong patient communication and ability to triage symptoms effectively.
- Ability to multitask in high-volume medical settings.
- Proficiency in handling confidential patient information and HIPAA compliance.
Work Schedule & Salary Expectations
- Most medical assistants in New York work full-time (40+ hours per week), often with evening, weekend, and holiday shifts in hospitals and urgent care settings.
- Salaries vary by experience and location, with higher wages in Manhattan and major medical centers.
- Typical salary ranges in New York City:
- New York University (NYU) – $33.54 per hour ($69,770 per year).
- Weill Cornell Medicine – $25.11 – $26.59 per hour ($52,230 – $55,310 per year).
- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) – $30 per hour ($62,400 per year).
- Health Center, Inc. – $51,000 – $60,000 per year.
Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in New York
The job market for medical assistants in New York is growing rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical assistants is projected to increase by 16% from 2021 to 2031, adding thousands of new jobs across the state.
Reasons for High Demand
- Aging Population – More elderly patients require preventative and specialty healthcare services.
- Healthcare Expansion – Growth in telemedicine, urgent care centers, and specialty practices.
- Medical Assistant Turnover – Many positions open due to career advancement into nursing and healthcare administration.
Final Takeaways
Employers in New York seek highly skilled, adaptable, and certified medical assistants to support doctors, surgeons, and healthcare teams. With strong demand across hospitals, private practices, and specialized clinics, this is an excellent career choice with opportunities for growth.
If you’re detail-oriented, thrive in fast-paced environments, and have a passion for patient care, a medical assistant career in New York offers stability, advancement, and competitive salaries.