Medical Assistant in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Indiana employs 19,630 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $45,110 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Medical assistants Earn in Indiana (May 2025)
- Indiana median pay
- $45,110 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $37,060
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $47,290
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $50,480
- Employed in Indiana
- 19,630
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $42,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Indiana markets:
- Indianapolis
- $46,900 (6,580 employed)
- Fort Wayne
- $45,220 (1,760 employed)
- South Bend
- $44,600 (840 employed)
- Evansville
- $43,980 (890 employed)
- Terre Haute
- $36,960 (570 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana
Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $45,110 median stretches to roughly $48,349 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)
Indiana is projected to grow medical assistants employment +11.6%, slower than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 3,110 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Indiana License and Certification Requirements
None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is the professional standard — regulated by the No Indiana state license required for medical assistants.
- Indiana does not require a state license for medical assistants. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program (1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree) at Ivy Tech Community College or Indiana Business College.
- Earn the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential — required or strongly preferred by IU Health, Ascension St. Vincent, and Franciscan Health system outpatient practices.
- Apply to physician offices, urgent care clinics, and outpatient practices within IU Health's extensive network, Ascension's Indiana system, and Community Health Network (Indianapolis) outpatient facilities.
Official requirements: No Indiana state license required for medical assistants →
Training in Indiana
Ivy Tech's statewide MA programs make training accessible across Indiana. IU Health's large outpatient network is the primary MA employer in Indiana. Indiana MA wages are below the national median but the low cost of living makes purchasing power reasonable. IU Health's clinical ladder programs offer defined paths to higher MA compensation with additional certifications.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:
- Caris College — Certificate
- Denmark College — Certificate
- Fortis College-Indianapolis — Certificate
- Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global — Associate
Where Medical assistants Work in Indiana
Real Indiana hospitals that employ medical assistants include:
- Indiana University Health — Indianapolis
- VA Northern Indiana Hlth Care System-Marion Campus — Marion
- Ascension St Vincent Hospital — Indianapolis
- Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Cente — Indianapolis
- Parkview Regional Medical Center — Fort Wayne
- Deaconess Hospital Inc — Evansville
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want the fastest entry into clinical healthcare and are comfortable with both patient care and administrative tasks.
Think twice if: A pay ceiling in the low-to-mid $40s and a broad scope of low-autonomy tasks sounds frustrating rather than engaging.
Why it's resilient: Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.
First Steps
Look for accredited medical assistant programs at community colleges — many run 9–12 months and include an externship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Indiana?
The median wage for medical assistants in Indiana is $45,110 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,060, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $50,480. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Medical Assistant in Indiana?
None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is the professional standard, overseen by the No Indiana state license required for medical assistants. Indiana does not require a state license for medical assistants. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program (1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree) at Ivy Tech Community College or Indiana Business College.
Is being a Medical Assistant a good career in Indiana?
Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.
Which Indiana metros pay medical assistants the most?
Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $46,900, followed by Fort Wayne ($45,220), South Bend ($44,600). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Medical Assistant in Indiana?
Real Indiana options include Caris College, Denmark College, Fortis College-Indianapolis. Most medical assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Medical Assistant a growing career in Indiana?
Indiana projects medical assistants employment to change +11.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 3,110 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Indiana state license required for medical assistants (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.