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

Allied healthcare

Massachusetts employs 14,880 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $49,460 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Medical assistants Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $49,460 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $43,280
Experienced (75th percentile): $58,100
Top earners (90th percentile): $61,870
Employed in Massachusetts: 14,880
U.S. median (for comparison): $42,000 (May 2024)

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

Boston: $50,740 (10,750 employed)
Cape Cod: $49,900 (380 employed)
Springfield: $48,510 (1,280 employed)
Worcester: $47,240 (1,770 employed)
Providence: $47,020 (4,120 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,460 median is worth closer to $46,749 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow medical assistants employment +9.0%, slower than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 2,190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

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

Massachusetts 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 Bunker Hill Community College, Massasoit Community College, or Quinsigamond Community College.
Earn the CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) credential — required or strongly preferred by Partners HealthCare/Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Steward Health Care system outpatient practices.
Apply to physician offices, multi-specialty practices, urgent care clinics, and the large network of Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel outpatient practices across Greater Boston and suburban Massachusetts.

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

Training in Massachusetts

Mass General Brigham's extensive outpatient network is one of the largest MA employer systems. Massachusetts MA wages are above the national median, reflecting the state's high cost of living and competitive healthcare labor market. The state's concentration of specialty care (oncology, cardiology, neurology at academic centers) creates demand for specialized MA skills.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Berkshire Community College — Associate
Bristol Community College — Certificate / Associate
Bunker Hill Community College — Certificate / Associate
Cape Cod Community College — Certificate

Where Medical assistants Work in Massachusetts

Real Massachusetts hospitals that employ medical assistants include:

VA Hosp — Northampton
VA Hosp — Bedford
VA Hosp — Brockton
VA Hosp — Boston
Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston
Tewksbury Hospital — Tewksbury

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 Massachusetts?

The median wage for medical assistants in Massachusetts is $49,460 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $43,280, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $61,870. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Medical Assistant in Massachusetts?

None required — CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) is the professional standard, overseen by the No Massachusetts state license required for medical assistants. Massachusetts 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 Bunker Hill Community College, Massasoit Community College, or Quinsigamond Community College.

Is being a Medical Assistant a good career in Massachusetts?

Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.

Which Massachusetts metros pay medical assistants the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $50,740, followed by Cape Cod ($49,900), Springfield ($48,510). 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 Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College. Most medical assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Medical Assistant a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects medical assistants employment to change +9.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,190 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.