Medical Assistant in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Louisiana employs 12,310 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $36,320 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Medical assistants Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Louisiana median pay
- $36,320 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $28,970
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $38,550
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $44,460
- Employed in Louisiana
- 12,310
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $42,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Louisiana markets:
- Lake Charles
- $38,550 (1,510 employed)
- Baton Rouge
- $36,900 (2,180 employed)
- New Orleans
- $36,780 (2,870 employed)
- Shreveport
- $36,210 (960 employed)
- Slidell
- $35,950 (860 employed)
- Lafayette
- $34,940 (1,170 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana
Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $36,320 median stretches to roughly $41,179 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)
Louisiana is projected to grow medical assistants employment +5.6%, slower than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,830 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Louisiana License and Certification Requirements
No state license; CMA/RMA certification employer-preferred — regulated by the No Louisiana state license.
- Louisiana does not license medical assistants.
- Complete a medical assistant program (certificate or associate).
- Earn CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification — preferred by most clinics and a common stepping stone into nursing.
Official requirements: No Louisiana state license →
Training in Louisiana
One of the fastest clinic-based entries. Certification and an externship placement are what get you hired.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:
- Ayers Career College — Certificate
- Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
- Blue Cliff College-Alexandria — Certificate / Associate
- Blue Cliff College-Lafayette — Certificate
Where Medical assistants Work in Louisiana
Real Louisiana hospitals that employ medical assistants include:
- Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center — Baton Rouge
- Ochsner Medical Center — New Orleans
- Willis Knighton Medical Center, Inc — Shreveport
- East Jefferson General Hospital — Metairie
- VA Hosp — New Orleans
- Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center — Lafayette
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 Louisiana?
The median wage for medical assistants in Louisiana is $36,320 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,970, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $44,460. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Medical Assistant in Louisiana?
No state license; CMA/RMA certification employer-preferred, overseen by the No Louisiana state license. Louisiana does not license medical assistants.
Is being a Medical Assistant a good career in Louisiana?
Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.
Which Louisiana metros pay medical assistants the most?
Among Louisiana metro areas, Lake Charles leads at $38,550, followed by Baton Rouge ($36,900), New Orleans ($36,780). 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 Louisiana?
Real Louisiana options include Ayers Career College, Baton Rouge Community College, Blue Cliff College-Alexandria. Most medical assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Medical Assistant a growing career in Louisiana?
Louisiana projects medical assistants employment to change +5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,830 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), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Louisiana state license (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 Louisiana wages · Louisiana 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.