California Medical Assistant Careers

Medical assistants are responsible for performing certain clinical and administrative tasks for the offices of physicians, clinics, medical centers, and surgical centers. Specific tasks vary by the location and size of the office, and specialty. Medical assistants may specialize in administrative medical assisting, clinical medical assisting, ophthalmic assisting, podiatric, chiropractic, and many others.

Although they work in all regions across the U.S., California is home to the nation’s largest population of medical assistants.

Medical Assistant Education and Training Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are no formal training requirements for medical assistants. However, most medical assistants have completed a 1 to 2 year medical assistant training program leading to a certificate or diploma. Further, most employers will not consider applicants that lack education and training.

A typical medical assistant training program provides instruction and hands-on training in various areas such as patient care and communication, clinical assisting and pharmacology, medical insurance, bookkeeping and health sciences; cardiopulmonary procedures, laboratory procedures, endocrinology and reproduction, and therapeutic care. Students will also complete an externship.

Medical assistant training programs are offered at vocational schools, community colleges, career schools, technical colleges, and even some four-year colleges and universities. In most cases, employer’s prefer applicant’s that have graduated from a school accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Medical Assistant Schools and Training Programs in California

California is home to dozens of schools that offer medical assistant training programs. Some offer 1 to 2 year programs, while others offer accelerated programs that may take just a few months to complete. The following is a list of around 50 respected programs in the State of California.

Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA
Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, CA
Barstow Community College, Barstow, CA
Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA
Canada College, Redwood City, CA
Career Networks Institute, Costa Mesa
Carrington Career College (Formerly Western Career College), Citrus Heights, Pomona, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton, CA
Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA
Cerro Coso Community College, Ridgecrest, CA
Chabot College, Hayward, CA
College of Marin, Kentfield, CA
Concorde Career College, North Hollywood, Garden Grove, San Bernardino, San Diego, CA
Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA
Cosumnes River College, Sacramento, CA
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA
De Anza College, Cupertino, CA
East Los Angeles College, Monterey Park, CA
East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program, West Covina, CA
Everest College, Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Ontario Metro, Reseda, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Torrance, West Los Angeles, CA
Fresno City College, Fresno, CA
Gavilan College, Gilroy, CA
Heald College, Concord, Fresno, Hayward, Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Salinas, San Francisco, Milpitas, Stockton, CA
ICDC College, Culver City, CA
Imperial Valley College, Imperial, CA
Kaplan College, Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Fresno, Modesto, North Hollywood, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, Vista, CA
La Sierra University, Riverside, CA
Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA
Mayfield College, Cathedral City, CA
Merritt College, Oakland, CA
Modesto Junior College, Modesto, CA
Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey, CA
MTI College, Sacramento, CA
Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CA
Palomar College, San Marcos, CA
Peralta Community College System, Oakland, CA
Pima Medical Institute, Chula Vista, CA
Platt College-Los Angeles, Alhambra, CA
Remington College-San Diego, San Diego, CA
San Diego Mesa College, San Diego, CA
San Joaquin Valley College, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Visalia,
Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA
Santa Barbara Business College, Bakersfield, Santa Maria, Ventura, CA
South Coast College, Orange, CA
Ventura College, Ventura, CA
Victor Valley College, Victorville, CA
West Hills College-Lemoore, Lemoore, CA
West Los Angeles College, Culver City, CA
West Valley College, Saratoga, CA
Wyotech-Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

Employment and Earnings Outlook for California Medical Assistants

As stated earlier, California is home to the country’s largest population of medical assistants. The state is home to 82,280 medical assistants averaging $33,750 per year. In 2008, the state was home to 73,930 assistants averaging $31,240.

California Metro Areas with the Highest Employment Level for Medical Assistants:

#1: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, 22,670 medical assistants
#9: San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, 7,580
#10: Santa Ana-Anaheim, 7,470

California Metro Areas with the Highest Pay for Medical Assistants:

#1: Vallejo-Fairfield, $47,430 per year
#3: San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, $41,900
#4: Santa Rosa-Petaluma, $39,830 per year
#10: Santa Cruz-Watsonville, $38,500

The U.S. is home to 560,800 medical assistants averaging $29,370 per year, up from 475,950 assistants averaging $29,060 per year. The population of medical assistants is expected to increase by 29% for the 2012-2022 decade, adding a hefty 162,900 assistants to the field.