The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro employs roughly 34,570 medical assistants, according to 2024 BLS data, with a median wage near $46,000. Training to enter that workforce ranges from community college certificates under $3,500 to private career school programs topping $20,000, with completion times spanning 6 months to about a year.
California does not license medical assistants, but employers across Kaiser, Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, and Providence increasingly prefer graduates of accredited programs with a national certification. That preference is quietly reshaping which programs pay off.
Jump straight to the program list.
The Los Angeles Medical Assistant Job Market: Employers, Demand, and Scope of Practice
Hiring for medical assistants across LA has shifted toward flexible staffing models, with float pools and per-diem roles now sitting alongside traditional clinic openings. That change reflects how large systems are trying to keep pace with outpatient volume without over-committing to fixed schedules.
Who's Hiring Right Now
Two systems dominate the visible market. Kaiser Permanente is running roughly 60 medical assistant openings across LA in 2026, including bilingual roles and a specific posting at the 4760 Sunset Medical Offices.1 UCLA Health is close behind, with about 60 statewide2 and 27 concentrated near LA, spanning Westside Primary Care, Westwood Oncology, Hollywood, Porter Ranch, an ambulatory float team, and per-diem coverage at Gonda Vascular.
Beyond these two, Cedars-Sinai, Providence, PIH Health, Keck Medicine of USC, and community clinic networks like AltaMed and QueensCare consistently recruit medical assistants across the county, though posting volumes vary week to week. Wages in recent postings cluster from about $29.46 to $41.22 per hour depending on experience level and specialty.32
What You Can Legally Do in California
California medical assistants perform patient care, administrative, clerical, and technical support tasks under the supervision of a licensed physician, podiatrist, or in some cases a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.3 Administering medications by injection, drawing blood, and performing skin tests are allowed only after specific documented training and direct supervision. Diagnosing, interpreting results, and independent triage remain outside your scope.
Employer Ties to Local Schools
Most LA employers require completion of an accredited medical assistant training program plus CMA, RMA, or CCMA certification.1 Several large systems partner directly with specific community colleges and career schools for externships and tuition assistance, which is worth weighing when you compare program costs later in this guide.
Online and Hybrid Medical Assistant Programs Serving Los Angeles Students
These online and hybrid medical assistant programs serve Los Angeles area students who prefer flexible remote coursework, often pairing online classes with local externship or clinical placement requirements. The list below is based on U.S. Department of Education data; for program length and accreditation details, see the separate sections in this guide.
| School | Program Name | Delivery Format | Degree Level | Net Price Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Career College-Los Angeles | Medical Assisting | Hybrid | Associates | $38,430 |
| American Career College-Anaheim | Medical Assisting | Hybrid | Associates | $38,430 |
| Platt College-Los Angeles | Medical Assisting | Hybrid | Associates | $27,551 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | UCLA Medical Assistant Program | Hybrid | Certificate or Diploma | $12,548 |
| California Career Institute | Medical Assistant Program | Hybrid | Certificate or Diploma | Not reported |
| California State University-Long Beach | Clinical Medical Assistant | Hybrid | Certificate or Diploma | $10,440 |
| Downey Adult School | Clinical Medical Assistant | Hybrid | Certificate or Diploma | $13,695 |
In-Person Medical Assistant Programs Within Commuting Distance of Los Angeles
Campus-based programs trade some online flexibility for structured lab time, direct instructor feedback, and classmates entering the same LA clinics and hospitals as you. If you are within commuting range, several campus options sit in Los Angeles or nearby cities including Pasadena, Long Beach, Culver City, and Norwalk.
- Pasadena City College offers an 11-month, CAAHEP-accredited certificate with full-time and part-time options, evening classes, and a reported 95% job placement rate.
- Long Beach City College runs a two-semester, WASC-accredited combined administrative/clinical program that starts each fall and accepts 40 students on a first-come, first-served basis.
- West Los Angeles College in Culver City has a one-year campus program with evening and Saturday classes plus hands-on clinical training.
- Cerritos College in Norwalk offers an Associate in Arts degree with full-time and part-time scheduling and clinical lab experience.
- Angeles College in Los Angeles covers administrative and clinical duties, lab procedures, and support for medical workers.
These campus-based programs are mostly community colleges, so they can be a lower-cost route than private career schools, but cohort sizes and start dates vary. Pasadena City College enrolls in fall and spring, while Long Beach City College starts once per year. If you work during the day, ask about evening, Saturday, or part-time sections before applying.
Medical Assistant Salary in Los Angeles: Median Wages and Outlook
BLS data for 2024 reports 34,570 medical assistants employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area, with a median annual wage of $46,000. The table below compares that metro-level estimate with several other California metros. These are occupational wages for the profession, not program graduate earnings; for program-level outcomes, see the ranked program section later in this article.
| Location | Total Employment | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 34,570 | $39,550 | $46,000 | $56,200 | $48,670 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 11,180 | $38,620 | $42,720 | $47,700 | $45,690 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 8,590 | $44,860 | $47,780 | $57,730 | $50,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 15,130 | $49,070 | $59,910 | $75,330 | $62,560 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 7,610 | $48,200 | $62,570 | $74,810 | $61,380 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 6,060 | $49,890 | $62,290 | $75,810 | $63,520 |
Los Angeles Medical Assistant Program Costs: Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
Program costs in Los Angeles range from under $3,500 for resident community college certificates to more than $20,000 at private career schools. For eligible students, financial aid may include FAFSA-based federal grants and loans, California state grant programs such as Cal Grant, institutional scholarships, and employer- or donor-supported tuition reductions. The UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program through UCLA Extension shows how donor support can lower student responsibility to $2,000 to $5,000.
| School/Program | Total Tuition & Fees | Est. Net Price After Aid | Financial Aid Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angeles College - Medical Assistant Program | $13,500 ($12,150 tuition + $50 registration + $1,300 books/equipment; STRF $0) | N/A | Federal Pell Grants and student loans may be available; private career college |
| LA Vocational Institute - Medical Assistant Program | $5,575 ($5,500 tuition + $75 registration fee) | N/A | Pathways for financial aid include options for veterans and international students; job referrals after graduation |
| American Career College - Los Angeles, Medical/Clinical Assistant Program | $19,535 total program cost ($18,660 tuition/fees + $875 books/supplies; 9-month program) | $26,420 average net price at institution level (2022; not program-specific) | Title IV eligible; federal aid, grants, and loans available at campus level |
| UCLA Extension - UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program | $23,000 estimated program tuition | As low as $2,000 for UCLA Health employees; as low as $5,000 for non-employees after donor support | Scholarships and donor support up to $21,000 for employees and up to $18,000 for non-employees |
| California Career Institute - Medical Assistant Program (Greater LA) | $17,215 tuition (2025 catalog; fees and supplies not detailed) | N/A | Federal Pell Grants and loans possible; institutional payment plans typical |
| National Career College (Panorama City) - Medical Assistant Program | $16,900 estimated total ($14,900 tuition + $1,550 materials/supplies + $375 books/uniforms + $75 registration) | N/A | Federal Pell Grants and loans may be available for 8-month program |
| Los Angeles-area community college medical assistant programs (range) | $782 to $3,128 resident tuition plus other fees; up to $46 per unit | N/A (varies by student aid eligibility) | Federal and state grants for eligible students; low resident tuition |
| Various private Los Angeles medical assistant campuses listed in sector directories | Examples include $11,000 per program, $18,390 per program, and $33,612 per year; certificate options $1,238 to $10,130 | N/A | Title IV participation typical; Pell Grants, federal loans, and institutional payment plans for many campuses |
How Long Is Medical Assistant School in Los Angeles? Completion Times and Externship Hours
Completion times vary widely across Los Angeles medical assistant programs. Accelerated certificate options can be as short as 6 to 9 months, while community college tracks may run about 12 months, and some programs describe duration in weeks, quarters, or total training hours rather than months. Externship and clinical hour requirements also range from 80 to 360 hours among programs that report them.
| School/Program | Typical Completion Time | Externship/Clinical Hours | Credential Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Career College, Medical Assistant Program (Los Angeles) | 9 months | 200 hours | Certificate/Diploma |
| Los Angeles Career College, Medical Assistant Program | 6 months | 360 hours | Certificate |
| National Career College, Medical Assistant Program (Los Angeles) | 8 months | 205 hours | Certificate/Diploma |
| Angeles College, Medical Assistant Program | 900 hours (not given in months) | 288 hours | Certificate |
| UCLA / Los Angeles Urban League, Medical Assistant Training Program | 4 academic quarters | 200 hours | Certificate |
| Propel America / Greater LAX Medical Assistant Pathway | A few months (accelerated) | 160 hours | Certificate (workforce training pathway) |
| Pulse Medical Assistant School, Los Angeles Campus | 16 weeks (4 months) | 80 hours | Certificate |
| East Los Angeles College, Medical Assistant Program | 8 weeks | N/A | Certificate |
| Los Angeles Valley College, Medical Assistant Program | 12 months | N/A | Certificate |
Questions to Ask Yourself
Ranked Medical Assistant Programs for Los Angeles Students
Below are the top medical assistant programs serving Los Angeles students, ranked by IPEDS completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. As you compare options, weigh tuition, program length, and confirmed graduate earnings before applying.
Angeles College
#1Los Angeles, CA · $29,000/yr (net price)
Best for: Career changers preferring monthly start dates
Angeles College offers a medical assistant certificate from its City of Industry campus. Students practice in on-campus skill labs and learn patient intake, medical records, lab procedures, and physician support. Rolling admission allows monthly module starts.
- Covers patient intake, records, and lab procedures
- Hands-on practice in on-campus skill labs
- Located at City of Industry campus
- Rolling admission with monthly module starts
American Career College-Los Angeles
#2Los Angeles, CA · $32,000/yr
Best for: Working adults balancing jobs and school
American Career College-Los Angeles offers a nine-month medical assistant program in a hybrid format. Students attend in-person classes two days per week and complete remaining coursework online, with weekend options available. The program includes a 200-hour clinical externship and is ABHES accredited.
- Hybrid format combines online and on-campus classes
- Weekend class options at three area campuses
- Includes a 200-hour clinical externship
- Total of 50.5 quarter credits and 780 clock hours
- Accredited by ABHES
- High school diploma or GED plus entrance exam required
Pasadena City College
#3Pasadena, CA · $0 – $5,000/yr
Best for: Adult learners needing part-time evening pacing
Pasadena City College offers a CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting certificate with full-time and part-time paths. The program starts in fall and spring and offers evening classes. Graduates report a 95% job placement rate and eligibility for AAMA certification.
- CAAHEP-accredited certificate program
- 11-month full-time or part-time pacing
- Starts fall and spring with evening classes
- 95% job placement rate
- Prepares for AAMA certification exam
- Hands-on training in health sciences labs
- Concentrates on billing, scheduling, and records management
- Offered as a campus-based administrative option
American Career College-Anaheim
#4Anaheim, CA · $31,000/yr
American Career College-Anaheim offers a nine-month hybrid medical assistant program with online coursework and hands-on labs. Students attend two days weekly on campus or choose weekend classes, and complete a 200-hour clinical externship. The program is ABHES accredited, and financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Hybrid format with online and campus learning
- Weekend class options at Orange County campus
- Includes a 200-hour clinical externship
- Accredited by ABHES
- Nine-month completion timeline
Los Angeles City College
#5Los Angeles, CA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Los Angeles City College offers a front-office medical assistant certificate focused on scheduling, patient records, bookkeeping, billing, and insurance. The program can be completed in 102 to 135 hours and includes a microcredential. It is a shorter entry path for administrative roles in medical offices.
- Front-office certificate of completion
- Covers scheduling, patient records, billing, and insurance
- 102 to 135 hours total
- Offers a microcredential
West Los Angeles College
#6Culver City, CA · ~$10,000/yr (est.)
West Los Angeles College offers an Associate of Science in Medical Assisting with a part-time schedule of evening and Saturday classes over one year. Admission requires a college application, physical exam, vaccinations, and drug screening. Graduates are eligible for the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants exam.
- Associate degree and certificate options
- Part-time evening and Saturday classes over one year
- Hands-on administrative and clinical training
- Admission requires physical exam, vaccinations, and drug screening
- Eligible for CCBMA certification exam
- First-come, first-served admission
Cerritos College
#7Norwalk, CA · $0 – $5,000/yr
Cerritos College offers both an Associate in Arts and a Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting. The associate path builds on the certificate with general education and A&P 120, while the certificate is a focused 29-credit program with full-time and part-time options. Both include internship or work experience placements and require health clearance and CPR/First Aid.
- Associate degree requiring at least 60 units
- Includes A&P 120, electives, and general education
- Full-time completion in two semesters
- Grade of C or better required in all coursework
- Internship or work experience placement included
- Health clearance and CPR/First Aid required
- 29-credit certificate program
- Two-semester full-time or part-time options
- Covers front-office and back-office skills
- Estimated $600 for books and equipment
- Minimum grade of C required
- Health clearance and immunizations needed
Long Beach City College
#8Long Beach, CA · $2,000 – $13,000/yr
Long Beach City College offers medical assisting with combined, administrative, or clinical concentrations, each completed in two semesters starting in fall. Each cohort accepts 40 students on a first-come, first-served basis, and enrollment requires a high school diploma, GED, or HiSet. The program is accredited by WASC.
- Two-semester program starting only in fall
- Cohort of 40 students, first-come first-served
- Covers both administrative and clinical duties
- High school diploma, GED, or HiSet required
- WASC accredited
- Administrative focus on scheduling, records, and billing
- Two-semester fall start with 40-student cohort
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Prepares for medical office roles
- Clinical focus on vital signs, blood draws, exam assistance
- Two semesters, starts fall, first-come first-served
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Prepares for clinical medical assistant roles
Platt College-Los Angeles
#9Alhambra, CA · $25,000 – $30,000/yr
Platt College-Los Angeles in Alhambra offers an associate degree in medical assisting that can be completed in 15 months through a hybrid format. The program includes clinical externships and training in venipuncture, injections, and electrocardiography. Graduates receive free tutoring for certification exams and the first exam fee is covered.
- Associate degree in as little as 15 months
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- Clinical training in venipuncture, injections, and EKG
- Clinical externships included
- Accredited by ACCSC
- Certification exam tutoring and first fee covered
University of California-Los Angeles
#10Los Angeles, CA · $13,000/yr (net price)
UCLA offers a medical assistant certificate through a partnership between UCLA Extension and UCLA Health, completed over four quarters with 68 units and a 200-hour clinical internship. The program reports a 100% pass rate on the NCCT NCMA exam and a job placement rate above 90%. Many graduates go on to work within UCLA Health's network of clinics.
- Four-quarter certificate with UCLA Health
- 68 units and 13 courses
- Includes a 200-hour clinical internship
- 100% NCCT NCMA exam pass rate
- 90.8% job placement rate
- CAAHEP accredited
- Tuition discounts for UCLA Health employees
California Career Institute
#11Anaheim, CA
California Career Institute in Anaheim offers a 10-month hybrid medical assistant program combining online coursework with hands-on training and local clinic externships. Small class sizes provide individual attention, and graduates can pursue CMA certification or continue toward vocational nursing. Financial aid and job placement assistance are available for qualifying students.
- 10-month hybrid online and hands-on format
- Small class sizes for personal attention
- Externships at local clinics
- Prepares for CMA certification
- Pathway to vocational nursing
- Job placement assistance available
University of Southern California
#12Los Angeles, CA · $33,000/yr
USC offers a short medical assisting certificate designed for high school juniors and seniors through its Allied Health Programs. Students earn dual high school and college credits and complete a 6-8 week internship at a medical facility, urgent care, or hospital. The program is offered in partnership with West Los Angeles College and leads to State of California Certification.
- 15-16 week certificate for high school juniors and seniors
- Earn high school and college credits simultaneously
- 6-8 week internships at medical facilities
- Partnership with West Los Angeles College
- Eligible for State of California Certification
- No college degree required
California State University-Long Beach
#13Long Beach, CA · $7,000 – $20,000/yr
Cal State Long Beach's College of Professional and Continuing Education offers a 140-hour clinical medical assistant certificate with hybrid and fully online self-paced options. The program covers phlebotomy, EKG, medication administration, and lab procedures, and includes an optional externship. This is a non-credit program with no financial aid available.
- 140-hour certificate program
- Hybrid or fully online self-paced formats
- Covers phlebotomy, EKG, and medication administration
- Optional externship available
- Prepares for NHA-CCMA certification
- Textbooks included in tuition
Employer-Sponsored and Earn-While-You-Learn Medical Assistant Pathways in LA
An earn-while-you-learn pathway is exactly what it sounds like: instead of paying tuition and studying full-time, you're hired by a healthcare employer, paid from day one, and trained on the job toward a national medical assistant credential. In Los Angeles, these programs are still rare, but a few concrete options exist in 2026.
Propel America Apprenticeship with CCALAC Health Centers
Propel America runs the most established employer-sponsored MA pathway in LA County, partnering with member health centers of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC)2. The apprenticeship is tuition-free, paid from the start, and takes roughly 14 months to complete. Graduates earn the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential through the NHA and a Propel completion certificate.1
- Eligibility: Ages 18 to 24, high school diploma or GED, and U.S. work authorization. Applicants go through a prescreen, interviews, and a background check.
- Commitment: Full-time participation in all classroom and on-the-job components, with an expectation of one year of employment at the partner clinic after completion.
- Scale: Propel launched the LA cohort in Fall 2025 with 10 apprentices.3 LA2050 projections put enrollment at 65 fellows in 2025 and 110 in 2026, backed in part by a $400,000 California COYA apprenticeship grant.
Los Angeles Urban League with Cedars-Sinai
The LA Urban League offers medical assistant training in partnership with Cedars-Sinai. Whether it operates as a paid apprenticeship or a more traditional training-plus-externship model isn't publicly confirmed, so contact the Urban League directly to verify pay, hours, and post-training placement before you apply.
Outside these two, most LA-area MA training remains school-based rather than employer-sponsored.
Admission Requirements and Application Deadlines for LA Medical Assistant Programs
Use this checklist to compare admission requirements and deadlines across LA medical assistant programs.
- High school diploma or GEDMost programs require a high school diploma or equivalent; CareerTraining at LAPC does not list a degree prerequisite.
- Minimum ageAge 18 is standard, but American Career College accepts 18 or parental consent, and Los Angeles Medical Assistant Program allows age 17 with parent permission.
- Prerequisite skillsHealthcare Career College requires basic math and English proficiency or ESL intermediate low; most other programs do not require college-level coursework.
- Entrance examsUCLA Health requires the HESI, and National Career College requires a Scholastic Level Exam score of 12+; West Los Angeles College and NIU College report no entrance exam.
- Essay and interviewNational Career College requires an interview and tour; UCLA Health may ask for a personal statement, references, and an interview.
- Immunizations and background checksHealthcare Career College and West Los Angeles College require background clearance; West LA also lists a physical, drug screen, immunizations, CPR/BLS, and malpractice insurance.
- DeadlinesMost LA programs do not publish a single 2026 deadline; Angeles College uses rolling admission with monthly module starts.
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Medical Assistant Programs in Los Angeles: FAQ
Medical assistant training in Los Angeles brings practical questions about clinical hours and out-of-pocket costs. Here are direct answers based on current California requirements and published program cost sheets.
Can I become a medical assistant in Los Angeles with only an online certificate, or do I need campus-based clinical hours?
California does not require medical assistant certification by state law1, but clinical tasks such as injections and venipuncture require documented in-person supervised practice under Business and Professions Code sections 2069 and 20701. A purely online certificate alone qualifies you for administrative duties only. To compete for most clinical roles, choose an online medical assistant associate's degree program with a real, in-person externship or attend a campus-based program.
Beyond tuition, what should I budget for medical assistant exam fees, background checks, and uniforms in Los Angeles?
Budget for costs beyond tuition because they vary. Certification exam fees vary: the California Certified Medical Assistant exam is $2502, while some school-based exam fees are $125 to $17534. Background checks, fingerprinting, and compliance items often total roughly $100 to $225345. At West Los Angeles College, uniforms, shoes, stethoscope, and blood pressure cuff total $2604, while Pasadena City College lists a $150 uniform fee3. Books can range from about $400 to $1,50034.
What certifications will I be eligible for after completing a Los Angeles medical assistant program?
Medical assistant programs commonly prepare you for national credentials such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA, and some students pursue the California Certified Medical Assistant credential2. California does not require certification to work as a medical assistant1, but most clinical employers prefer or expect one. Check your program's eligibility and exam fee before enrolling.
