Medical Assistant in Wisconsin: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Wisconsin employs 13,810 medical assistants, with a statewide median of $48,680 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.
What Medical assistants Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)
- Wisconsin median pay
- $48,680 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $39,480
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $55,000
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $57,990
- Employed in Wisconsin
- 13,810
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $42,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for medical assistants in major Wisconsin markets:
- Minneapolis
- $52,570 (7,390 employed)
- Milwaukee
- $49,590 (4,170 employed)
- Appleton
- $49,330 (450 employed)
- Madison
- $48,750 (2,080 employed)
- Duluth
- $47,990 (750 employed)
- Green Bay
- $47,910 (800 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin
Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $48,680 median stretches to roughly $51,732 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)
Wisconsin is projected to grow medical assistants employment +13.3%, faster 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.
Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements
No state license; CMA/RMA certification employer-preferred — regulated by the No Wisconsin state license.
- Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin state license →
Training in Wisconsin
One of the fastest clinic-based entries. Certification and an externship placement are what get you hired.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:
- Blackhawk Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa — Associate
- Chippewa Valley Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Concordia University-Wisconsin — Certificate
Where Medical assistants Work in Wisconsin
Real Wisconsin hospitals that employ medical assistants include:
- Aurora St Lukes Medical Center — Milwaukee
- Tomah VA Medical Center — Tomah
- Clement J Zablocki Veterans Affairs — Milwaukee
- Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital — Milwaukee
- Ascension All Saints Hospital — Racine
- Ascension Se Wisconsin Hospital - St Joseph Campus — Milwaukee
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 Wisconsin?
The median wage for medical assistants in Wisconsin is $48,680 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,480, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $57,990. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Medical Assistant in Wisconsin?
No state license; CMA/RMA certification employer-preferred, overseen by the No Wisconsin state license. Wisconsin does not license medical assistants.
Is being a Medical Assistant a good career in Wisconsin?
Medical assistants handle clinical and administrative tasks that require physical presence, patient interaction, and real-time judgment in physician offices and clinics.
Which Wisconsin metros pay medical assistants the most?
Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $52,570, followed by Milwaukee ($49,590), Appleton ($49,330). 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 Wisconsin?
Real Wisconsin options include Blackhawk Technical College, Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa, Chippewa Valley Technical 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin projects medical assistants employment to change +13.3% 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), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9092. Licensing summary compiled from the No Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin 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.