Medical Assistant in Maryland: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Maryland employs 16,390 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $46,410 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Maryland licensing picture, and where to train.

What Medical assistants Earn in Maryland (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Maryland markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Maryland

Prices in Maryland run about 5% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,410 median is worth closer to $44,200 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Maryland (2024–2034)

Maryland is projected to grow medical assistants employment +13.6%, faster than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,280 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Maryland License and Certification Requirements

None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is the professional standard — regulated by the No Maryland state license required for medical assistants.

1. Maryland does not require a state license for medical assistants. Complete a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program at CCBC, Montgomery College, or Prince George's Community College.
2. Earn the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential — required or strongly preferred by Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, and the large multi-specialty practice networks across Maryland.
3. Apply to physician offices, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians outpatient network, MedStar Medical Group practices, or the large network of specialty practices in the DC Maryland suburbs.

Official requirements: No Maryland state license required for medical assistants →

Training in Maryland

Johns Hopkins Community Physicians is one of the largest physician practice networks in Maryland and a major MA employer. Maryland MA wages are significantly above the national median, driven by DC Metro area compensation. The concentration of specialty practices (oncology at Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, cardiology, neurology) creates demand for specialized MA credentials and skills.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Maryland include:

• All-State Career-Baltimore — Certificate
• Allegany College of Maryland — Certificate / Associate
• Anne Arundel Community College — Certificate / Associate
• Baltimore City Community College — Associate

Where Medical assistants Work in Maryland

Real Maryland hospitals that employ medical assistants include:

• The Johns Hopkins Hospital — Baltimore
• University of Maryland Medical Center — Baltimore
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center — Bethesda
• Springfield Hospital Center — Sykesville
• Clinical Center-Natl Inst of Health — Bethesda
• Perry Point VA Medical Center — Perry Point

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

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Maryland statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Maryland 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 Maryland wages · Maryland 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.