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

Allied healthcare

North Dakota employs 600 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $45,980 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Medical assistants Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $45,980 median stretches to roughly $51,663 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow medical assistants employment +14.9%, faster than the +12.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 90 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; CMA/RMA certification employer-preferred — regulated by the No North Dakota state license.

1. North Dakota does not license medical assistants.
2. Complete a medical assistant program (certificate or associate).
3. Earn CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT) certification — preferred by most clinics and a common stepping stone into nursing.

Official requirements: No North Dakota state license →

Training in North Dakota

One of the fastest clinic-based entries. Certification and an externship placement are what get you hired.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:

• Dakota College at Bottineau — Certificate / Associate
• Mayville State University — Certificate
• North Dakota State College of Science — Certificate / Associate
• Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Certificate / Associate

Where Medical assistants Work in North Dakota

Real North Dakota hospitals that employ medical assistants include:

• Sanford — Fargo
• Trinity Hospitals — Minot
• Chi St Alexius Health — Bismarck
• Altru Hospital — Grand Forks
• Sanford Medical Center Bismarck — Bismarck
• VA Hosp — Fargo

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), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No North Dakota 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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.