Best Medical Assistant Programs in New York – 2024


Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH

New York is one of the most well-known states in the nation, and it also boasts the country’s most densely populated area – New York City. Millions upon millions of people in NY are seeking quality healthcare at increasing rates, so if you are looking for an excellent and secure career, medical assisting is a fantastic choice. Below, you will discover the best medical assistant schools in New York, whether you want a certificate, diploma, or degree. Any of these programs will serve as a lucrative first step toward an entry-level career in the medical industry.





2 Things that will Make Your Medical Assistant Schooling Easier


Though New York has no formal education requirements, it is in your best interest to complete a medical assistant program in NY. Doing so makes you far more valuable to employers and can help you earn a higher salary. To make the process simpler, there are a few things you can do. First, choose the right format for your schedule, whether you prefer campus, online, or hybrid programs. Second, make sure you carve out time to study and be certain that you are taking care of yourself by eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. These things will go a long way toward helping you get the most out of your education.


Medical Assistant Program Length & Cost in New York


There are several different routes to complete an MA program in the state of NY. You might choose to complete a certificate or diploma program, which takes anywhere from eight to 18 months and costs up to $40,860. You might instead choose to earn an associate degree in medical assisting. This takes two years and costs up to $65,990.

Type of Program Length Cost
Certificate / Diploma 8 – 18 Months$2,120 - $40,860
Associate Degree2 Years$7,780 - $65,990


WHAT ARE THE BEST MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK?

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, below are the 10 best Medical Assistant programs in New York. The list includes both campus-based and online programs.)


1. Allen School, Brooklyn & Jamaica


2. Mildred Elley, Albany & New York City


3. Hunter Business School, Levittown & Medford


Certificate
Associate

4. Plaza College, Forest Hills


5. ASA College, Brooklyn & Manhattan


6. Monroe College, Bronx & New Rochelle


7. New York Medical Career Training Center, Flushing & Manhattan


8. St Paul's School of Nursing, Queens & Staten Island


9. New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants, Queens


10. Branford Hall Career Institute, Amityville



VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY


Medical Assistant Career Information For New York - 2024/h2>

How Many Medical Assistants are Currently Employed in NY?


35,720

Where do Medical Assistants Work in New York?


New York is one of the most diverse states in the nation, and as a result, medical assistants work in a variety of industries and facilities. Close to half work in private practice physicians’ offices. Others work in hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and specialty medical centers including chiropractors’ offices.

No matter which industry you choose, your duties will vary a great deal. You will perform clinical tasks like greeting patients, escorting them to exam rooms, taking basic information and vital signs in some cases, and helping physicians with minor in-office procedures. You will likely also perform a variety of clerical tasks, which include things like answering phones, mailing bills, charting, and scheduling appointments for patients. Most medical assistants are also responsible for cleaning and stocking the facility’s various patient treatment rooms.

Industry Number of Medical Assistants
Offices of Physicians20,300
Hospitals5,100
Outpatient Care Centers3,350
Offices of Chiropractors2,920

What is the Average Salary of a Medical Assistant in New York?


The average medical assistant salary in NY is $44,020, which is equal to about $21.16 an hour or $3,670 a month for full-time workers. As an MA, your salary will vary based on several factors. First, your experience will play a role in your pay; more experienced MAs earn significantly more than their lesser-experienced counterparts. Next, the city and location in which you work are important. Certain affluent locations are known to pay their MAs more than inner-city doctors and clinics. Finally, you can also increase your salary by getting certified or earning an associate degree if you currently have a certificate or diploma.

Type Salary
Hourly$21.16
Monthly$3,670
Annual$44,020
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Salary Based on Years of Experience


Years of Experience Hourly Monthly Annual
Less than 1 year (Starting) $17.00 $2,950 $35,360
1-4 years $18.16 $3,150 $37,780
5-9 years $21.07 $3,650 $43,830
10-19 years $22.94 $3,980 $47,710
20 years or more $26.18 $4,540 $54,450
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Medical Assistant Average Salary Comparison: New York vs. National


Employers in NY pay medical assistants more than most other parts of the country. The national average salary for MAs is $40,700 a year, which means NY’s average income of $44,020 a year is 8.16% higher.

New York National Difference
Number %
$44,020$40,700+$3,320+8.16%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Job Outlook


Aside from earning one of the highest salaries in the nation as an MA in NY, you will also enjoy fantastic job security. Thanks to the state’s booming population and individuals’ increased access to affordable healthcare nationwide, more people than ever before are seeing their doctors regularly or seeking treatment for their medical conditions. Due to the sheer volume of patients, doctors rely on support staff – namely medical assistants – to relieve some of the stress.

In 2020, there were 28,160 MAs spread across New York, but by 2030, there will be 35,820. This difference of 7,660 medical assistants equals a staggering growth of 27.20%, which is much higher than the average for all occupations and one of the highest expected occupational growth rates for MAs in the country.

Employment Employment Growth (2020-2030)
2020 2030 Number Percent
28,16035,820+7,660+27.20%
(Source: careeronestop)

Annual Job Openings


New Replacement Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement)
7663,7044,470
(Source: careeronestop)

Metro Wise Employment & Salary Data


In order to make the most of your career, it is important that you balance job opportunities with the potential income at your job. Some metro areas in NY have much higher average salaries than others but offer very little in terms of job opportunity.

To put this into perspective, of the 310 medical assistants that work in the Elmira metro area, the average annual income among them is only $35,390 – much lower than the state’s average for all MAs. In Watertown-Fort Drum, there are even fewer MAs (perhaps less than 20), but they earn an average annual salary of $37,370. As you may have already guessed, the best place to seek MA employment in NY is the New York City-Newark-Jersey City metro. There are 41,120 MAs spread across the area, and collectively, their average annual salary tops out at $44,390, which is just slightly above the state’s average.

Metro Employment Average Salary
Hourly Monthly Annual
New York-Newark-Jersey City 41,120 $21.34 $3,700 $44,390
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls 2,210 $19.32 $3,350 $40,190
Albany-Schenectady-Troy 1,280 $18.74 $3,250 $38,980
Rochester 1,150 $18.39 $3,190 $38,260
Syracuse 1,050 $19.19 $3,330 $39,920
Binghamton 430 $17.45 $3,020 $36,290
Utica-Rome 310 $18.62 $3,230 $38,730
Glens Falls 150 $19.11 $3,310 $39,750
Kingston 140 $19.13 $3,320 $39,790
Elmira 90 $17.01 $2,950 $35,390
Ithaca 90 $18.97 $3,290 $39,450
Watertown-Fort Drum ** $17.97 $3,110 $37,370
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.



Medical Assistant Schools in other States

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Washington


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