Who gets paid more, CMA or CCMA?

Asked by: Pablo Wolf  |  Last update: June 19, 2025
Score: 5/5 (70 votes)

Medical Assistant Salary By Certification Type For assistants with the NHA CCMA certification, the average medical assistant salary was $20.55/hour based on 109 responses. For assistants with the AAMA CMA certification, the average medical assistant salary was $22.42/hour based on 69 responses.

Is a CCMA higher than a CMA?

To become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you must pass the National Healthcareer Association exam. Compared to CMAs and RMAs, CCMAs typically have more clinical responsibilities, including patient care.

Is CCMA certification worth it?

Certified clinical medical assistants have a greater chance of getting hired at competitive workplaces that offer higher salaries. There are also salary differences by location. For example, medical assistants in New York state make $47,350 per year, on average, which is higher than the national average.

Which medical assistant certification pays the most?

Highest-Paying Medical Assistant Specialties
  • 1) Podiatry Medical Assistant – $57,000 per year. ...
  • 2) Ophthalmology Medical Assistant – $50,000 per year. ...
  • 3) Fertility Medical Assistant – $45,760 per year. ...
  • 4) Cardiology Medical Assistant – $45,760 per year. ...
  • 5) Aesthetic Medical Assistant – $44,371 per year.

Is CCMA better than CNA?

Both CNAs and CMAs are important parts of the healthcare team. If you're looking to start a new career quickly, becoming a CNA can help you achieve your goal. However, if you want to take your career a step further without going to a four-year college, becoming a CMA can be a great choice.

CMA vs. CCMA...what even is the difference?

29 related questions found

How can I make more money as a CCMA?

Check out the steps below.
  1. Get a good education. The best thing you can bring to an employer is a good education. ...
  2. Gain experience. The more experience you bring to work each day, the more your employer will have to lose by letting you go. ...
  3. Work in a high-paying location. ...
  4. Work in a high-paying facility.

What's the most a CMA can make an hour?

Certified Medical Assistant Salary Based on Where You Work

Medical assistants working in research generally have the highest salaries. They can start as high as $25 per hour. Outpatient clinics are another high-paying medical assistant option with an average salary of $24 per hour.

Do Cnas or CMAS get paid more?

When considering becoming a medical assistant or a CNA, remember that one role is not better than the other. Medical assistants earn more, but you can often finish a CNA training program faster. While you can earn a medical assisting certification, not all states require it to work.

Who gets paid more, CMA or RMA?

A registered medical assistant across town may do essentially the same tasks on the day. The median pay for medical assistants was $37,190 and $17.88 an hour in 2022. It is thought that the difference between RMA and CMA salaries is negligible.

What comes after CCMA?

Careers beyond medical assisting: what comes next? By advancing your medical assistant career, you could earn your next degree and become a healthcare manager, healthcare administrator, or nurse!

What is the advantage of CCMA?

Benefits of CCMA certification

Some common potential benefits of achieving the CCMA certification are that you'll: Possible advantage over other candidates when applying for clinical medical assistant positions. Proof of your qualifications and competence as a clinical medical assistant. Potential for increased pay.

How hard is it to pass the CCMA exam?

How Challenging Is the NHA CCMA Exam? The NHA CCMA exam requires a minimum score of 390 out of 500 to pass, which translates to correctly answering 78% of the questions.

Can CCMA draw blood?

Medical assistants who have completed the minimum training prescribed by regulation may draw blood. Medical assistants are not allowed to perform such invasive procedures as: placing the needle or starting and disconnecting the infusion tube of an IV. administering medications or injections into the IV line.

Is a CMA higher than a RN?

Nurses can perform all of the tasks that medical assistants do, in addition to a few more advanced skills. Medical assistants do not have to go through as much training as nurses and do not have to be licensed. Because of this, nurses make substantially more money than medical assistants.

Why do people go to CCMA?

The CCMA's compulsory statutory functions are to: Conciliate workplace disputes. Arbitrate certain categories of disputes that remain unresolved after conciliation, establish picketing rules. Facilitate the establishment of workplace forums and statutory councils.

What is the difference between CMA and CCMA?

The primary difference is a CMA is certified by the American Association of Medical Assistants, while a CCMA pursues certification through the National Healthcare Association.

Where do CMAs make the most money?

High-paying cities for medical assistants
  1. Sunnyvale, California. ...
  2. Tanaina, Alaska. ...
  3. Santa Rosa, California. ...
  4. Seattle, Washington. ...
  5. San Francisco, California. ...
  6. Oakland, California. ...
  7. Ipswich, Massachusetts. ...
  8. Boston, Massachusetts.

Are CMAs in high demand?

These states have large populations and bustling healthcare industries, which create a steady demand for medical assistants. California, for instance, has a significant number of healthcare facilities, including some of the largest hospital systems in the country, which require a constant supply of trained medical ...

What pays more CNA or CMA?

CMA: Average Hourly Pay. CNA vs CMA hourly wages range from $13.77 per hour for certified nursing assistants to $16.28 for certified medical assistants. Some factors may influence the rate of pay for both CMAs and CNAs.

How fast can you become a CMA?

It typically takes between 4 months to 2 years to become a medical assistant, depending on what type of school/training program you attend and if you pass your certification exam on the first try or not.

Can a CCMA work as a CNA?

No its different skill sets and different educational programs. I'm a CMA and had to take a CNA course before I could apply to a nursing program for my RN. They are incredibly different roles.

What is the highest paid medical certification?

The medical certification that tends to offer the highest pay is the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). CRNAs require advanced education, typically a master's or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia, and they earn salaries often exceeding $150,000 annually, depending on experience and location.

Is CCMA a good career?

Have you considered a career as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistant jobs are expected to grow by 18 percent through 2030—placing it much higher the average national job growth.