Pennsylvania employers filled roughly 27,000 medical assistant roles in 2025, and health systems like UPMC, Penn Medicine, and Geisinger keep posting new medical assistant job openings across the state. Statewide median pay sits at $43,920, with Philadelphia and Reading metros paying above that.
Among the ten ranked programs in this piece, average net price runs from about $6,800 to just over $28,000 a year, a spread wide enough to reshape which credential actually makes financial sense. Pennsylvania does not license medical assistants, so the real leverage comes from CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation and Medical Assistant Certifications that are nationally recognized: two things that vary more between programs than tuition alone suggests.
Best Medical Assistant Programs in Pennsylvania: 2027 Rankings
These are the top medical assistant programs in Pennsylvania for 2026, drawn from a statewide set of 22 accredited programs. Each listing includes program format, city, tuition and net price, and graduation rate. Programmatic accreditation status was verified through external research, including CAAHEP and ABHES rosters.
Institute of Medical Careers
#1Pittsburgh, PA · ~$21,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Career changers wanting an associate degree
IMBC's Pittsburgh campus offers an 18-month Medical Assisting Technician program with both clinical and administrative training. The program is ABHES-accredited, and certification exam preparation is included in tuition. It supports military-affiliated students and maintains a career-focused, hands-on learning environment.
- 18-month Associate in Specialized Technology degree
- Campus-based in Pittsburgh with clinical and administrative training
- National certification preparation included in tuition
- ABHES-accredited allied health program
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required
- Military Friendly School with support for military-affiliated students
Orleans Technical College
#2Philadelphia, PA · $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Working adults needing evening certificate training
Orleans Technical College in Philadelphia runs a 25-week Clinical Medical Assistant certificate with a required five-week externship. Students train in phlebotomy, EKG, and patient care procedures while preparing for NHA certification. An evening option spans 14 months, making it feasible for working students, and graduates place in major Philadelphia health systems.
- 25-week certificate plus a 5-week externship
- Hands-on labs in phlebotomy, EKG, and patient care
- Prepares for NHA Certified Medical Assistant exam
- CPR/AED certification included
- Optional phlebotomy and EKG certifications
- Financial aid available
- Evening option spans 14 months
Drexel University
#3Philadelphia, PA · $39,000/yr (est. net price)
Best for: Philadelphia residents seeking paid apprenticeships
Drexel's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Apprenticeship is a 12-month paid hybrid program. Apprentices earn wages while combining online coursework, on-the-job training, and in-person clinical instruction, and they receive Pennsylvania Department of Labor journeyworker papers. It is a no-cost pathway built with Philadelphia-area hospital partners.
- 12-month paid apprenticeship with partner hospitals and clinics
- Hybrid format blends online coursework and on-the-job training
- Earn PA Department of Labor journeyworker papers
- Prepare for National Healthcareer Association exam
- Earn family-sustaining wages while training
- Full-time enrollment
- Focus on underrepresented Philadelphia communities
- High-priority PA occupation pathway
Johnson College
#4Scranton, PA · ~$20,000/yr (est.)
Johnson College in Scranton offers a nine-month Medical Assistant certificate that prepares students for the NHA CCMA exam. The total program cost, around $6,000, includes the certification fee, and evening classes are available. Hands-on training covers vital signs, phlebotomy, venipuncture, and routine lab procedures.
- Nine-month, 260-hour certificate program
- Prepares for NHA CCMA exam
- Course cost includes certification fee, about $6,000 total
- Evening classes on Scranton campus
- Covers phlebotomy, venipuncture, anatomy, and medical terminology
- ESL to Credential pathway available
Butler County Community College
#5Butler, PA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)
BC3 offers both a certificate and an A.A.S. in Medical Assisting from its Butler campus. The certificate is CAAHEP-accredited and includes a supervised externship, while the associate degree builds on the certificate for a stackable credential. The program reports a 93% certification exam passage rate and serves students across western Pennsylvania.
- 68-credit associate degree
- Minimum 2.50 GPA for admission
- C or better required in all courses
- Includes clinical procedures, medical terminology, and externship
- Meets Pennsylvania licensure requirements
- 93% certification exam passage rate
- CAAHEP-accredited medical assistant certificate
- 38 total credit hours
- Supervised externship in a healthcare setting
- Focus on back-office clinical skills
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Fall semester start
Bucks County Community College
#6Newtown, PA · $6,000/yr (est. net price)
Bucks County Community College in Newtown provides a Medical Assistant Certificate built around clinical and administrative skills plus a 160-hour daytime externship. The program can be completed in about one year and explicitly notes no weekend or evening clinical hours, which may suit students who prefer daytime training.
- 38 total credit hours
- 160-hour clinical externship
- No weekend or evening clinical hours
- CPR certification required
- Background checks and drug screen required
- Full-time finish in about one year
Lansdale School of Business
#7North Wales, PA · ~$27,000/yr (est.)
Lansdale School of Business, with campuses in North Wales and Phoenixville, offers an Associate in Specialized Business in Allied Health-Medical Assistant. The curriculum blends medical office administration, lab techniques, phlebotomy, EKG, and medication administration, with an externship component. It positions students for immediate entry into physician offices and urgent care settings.
- Associate in Specialized Business degree
- Campus-based instruction with required externship
- Covers medical office administration and clinical laboratory skills
- Hands-on training in blood drawing, EKG, and medication administration
- Minimum 2.00 GPA and C grade in medical courses
- Financial aid and VA benefits accepted
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton
#8Hazleton, PA · $18,000/yr (est. net price)
Penn State Hazleton's Clinical Medical Assisting certificate combines 140 hours of classroom instruction in medication administration, EKG, specimen collection, and patient education. An optional 160-hour clinical component adds individualized hands-on experience. Evening classes serve working adults, and graduates are eligible for the NHA CCMA exam.
- 140 hours of classroom instruction
- Optional 160-hour clinical component
- Evening classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Prepares for NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam
- Pathway to CMA, LPN, or RN
- Campus-based in Hazleton
Eastern University
#9Saint Davids, PA · $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.)
Eastern University's Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is a 67-credit, four-semester program that includes an externship in the final term. The curriculum covers phlebotomy, EKG technology, pharmacology, and medical law, and the program emphasizes holistic patient care. It is designed for entry-level medical assisting roles in outpatient settings.
- 67 total credit hours over four semesters
- Includes a final-semester clinical externship
- Covers phlebotomy, EKG technology, and pharmacology
- Emphasizes holistic patient care and social justice
- Standard undergraduate admissions required
Central Penn College
#10Summerdale, PA · ~$19,000/yr (est.)
Central Penn College in Summerdale offers an 18-month hybrid Associate in Applied Science in Medical Assisting. The CAAHEP-accredited program combines online and on-campus learning with simulated medical office experience and clinical training. Graduates prepare for the Certified Medical Assistant exam and enter medical assisting, office, or billing support roles.
- Hybrid format combines online and on-campus learning
- 18-month completion time
- CAAHEP-accredited program
- Prepares for Certified Medical Assistant exam
- Hands-on simulated medical office experience
- Clinical experience included
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, becoming a medical assistant follows a clear path even though the state does not require a license. Start with a certificate or diploma, which often takes 7-11 months, or an associate degree at about 16-24 months. Most programs include a supervised clinical externship, commonly 100-240 hours in a clinic, physician office, urgent care, or hospital setting. After finishing, sit for a national exam such as the CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), or CCMA (NHA); certification is not a legal requirement, but most Pennsylvania employers prefer or require it. Once certified, apply for medical assistant roles and keep your credential current through your certifying body's renewal process.
Medical Assistant Certification and Legal Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not require medical assistants to hold a state license or certification.1 Medical assistants work as unlicensed assistive personnel: their duties come from a licensed physician or other provider who delegates tasks and remains responsible for supervising that work.2
State Rules: No License or Certification Required
Pennsylvania has no separate scope-of-practice statute just for medical assistants2, and there is no state registration or certification requirement.1 That means a medical assistant diploma or national credential is usually a hiring preference rather than a legal mandate. Employers may set their own training and certification expectations, so the credential you choose can affect which jobs you qualify for.
What Medical Assistants Can Do in Pennsylvania
Medical assistants perform delegated clinical and administrative tasks. Typical clinical medical assistant duties under a provider's order include:
- Vital signs and patient preparation
- Basic patient histories taken under direction
- Specimen collection, including venipuncture
- CLIA-waived tests
- Simple procedures such as ECGs and injections when a provider orders them
- CPR support if you are trained
Work in an administrative medical assistant role usually includes scheduling, medical records, phone handling, and billing data entry.
Medical assistants may not diagnose, interpret results, prescribe, or treat independently. Invasive procedures such as suturing or casting stay with licensed providers. Do not perform any task outside your training or without a direct order from the supervising provider. In practice, a licensed physician should be available to direct care, but Pennsylvania does not set out a separate onsite supervision scheme for medical assistants.
Certification: CMA, RMA, and CCMA
Even though Pennsylvania does not mandate certification, many employers look for a national Medical Assistant Certification. The CMA (AAMA) is often treated as the most familiar option, but many Pennsylvania employers accept CMA, RMA, and CCMA credentials equally. There are no Pennsylvania-specific hiring statistics, so the best signal is the job posting itself.
- CMA (AAMA): $250 exam fee, or $125 for AAMA members and recent graduates.3 Eligibility requires graduation from an accredited medical assistant program.3 Recertification is every 5 years with 60 CEUs.4 Recertification by CE costs $80 for members or $160 for nonmembers.4 By exam, recertification costs $125 for members or $250 for nonmembers.3
- RMA (AMT): Widely accepted by employers. Exact exam fees, eligibility, and recertification requirements should be confirmed directly with AMT; published figures were not available here.
- CCMA (NHA): Also widely accepted. Check NHA directly for current fees, eligibility, and recertification steps.
Before enrolling, review job postings in your part of Pennsylvania to see which certifications local health systems and clinics list most often.
State Licensing at a Glance: Pennsylvania Medical Assistants
What Does Medical Assistant School Cost in Pennsylvania?
Published tuition is the sticker price; average net price is what students pay after grant or scholarship aid. The table below orders ten ranked Pennsylvania medical assistant programs from lowest to highest average net price, not by sticker tuition. Financial aid in Pennsylvania can lower costs further, including the need-based Pennsylvania State Grant through PHEAA (up to $4,525 for full-time in-state students, half for part-time), WIOA training funds through local American Job Centers for approved programs, scholarships such as the Pennsylvania Society of Medical Assistants award, and interest-free school payment plans like Sallie Mae Tuition Pay Plan.
| School Name | Tuition (In-State) | Net Price | Graduation Rate | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County Community College | $9,000 | $6,233 | 37.2% | On-Campus |
| Bucks County Community College | $9,966 | $6,389 | 32.3% | On-Campus |
| Delaware County Community College | $11,250 | $6,576 | 24.1% | On-Campus |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | $9,300 | $9,203 | 30.3% | On-Campus |
| Reading Area Community College | $11,310 | $9,228 | 33.6% | On-Campus |
| Luzerne County Community College | $11,430 | $9,433 | 22.7% | On-Campus |
| Montgomery County Community College | $11,970 | $11,124 | 27.9% | On-Campus |
| Commonwealth Technical Institute | $7,714 | $11,714 | 85.7% | On-Campus |
| Community College of Philadelphia | $8,688 | $11,911 | 24.4% | On-Campus |
| Community College of Allegheny County | $8,803 | $13,970 | 24.2% | On-Campus |
Online vs. On-Campus Medical Assistant Programs in Pennsylvania
The biggest online vs. on-campus tradeoff in Pennsylvania medical assistant training is flexibility against structure: online coursework fits around work and family, but you still need supervised clinical hours, usually through a medical assistant externship, before you can safely enter patient care.
Why Fully Online MA Programs Are Rare
Fully online medical assistant programs are uncommon because clinical skills must be practiced in person, not just learned from videos or textbooks. In our 2026 review, Community College of Philadelphia offers an Anytime Online Asynchronous option1, and Hamilton Health Center lists online facilitated learning with 160 externship hours2, but most ranked programs describe themselves as hybrid or blended rather than fully online.
Hybrid Formats in Our 2026 Review
A practical middle path is online didactic coursework plus in-person labs and externship, often through an online medical assistant certificate. Among Pennsylvania programs we reviewed: - Herzing University: online classes with labs and a 180-hour externship.3 - CCI Training Center: online coursework with a 240-hour placement near your zip code.4 - Philadelphia Medical Assistant School: 18-week hybrid with an 80-hour externship after week 8.5 - PA Institute of Technology: hybrid with 180 clinical hours.6 - YTI Career Institute and Lancaster Medical Training: hybrid.8 - Bidwell Training Center: in-person only, for students who want a fully campus-based route.7
Externship Logistics for Online Students
Placement rules vary. CCI arranges an approved facility within about 30 miles of your zip code.4 Herzing partners with select Pennsylvania clinical sites and schedules the final term during weekday daytime hours, typically 25 to 40 hours per week.3 PA Institute of Technology's program director and faculty assign sites, which may include Penn Medicine or Main Line Health, but requests are not guaranteed and sites can be out of state; you are responsible for transportation.6
Which Format Fits You?
If you need maximum scheduling flexibility or live far from campus, an online or hybrid option such as Herzing, CCI, or Community College of Philadelphia makes sense. If you want structured labs, in-person guidance, and easier networking, a campus-based program like Bidwell may fit better. Online coursework rewards self-discipline; on-campus cohorts provide routine and peer support, so choose based on how you learn best and where you can complete clinical hours.
Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook in Pennsylvania
Medical assistants in Pennsylvania earned a statewide median of $43,920 per year in 2025, with top metro markets such as Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington and Reading paying above that level. Large health systems including UPMC, Penn Medicine, and Geisinger continue to hire medical assistants across the state, supporting steady job demand. BLS occupational wages are a useful benchmark, but individual graduate earnings can differ by program, so students should review program-level outcomes where available.
| Metro Area | Median Annual Wage | Total Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 45830 | 12650 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 39500 | 4560 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 44150 | 1730 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 40720 | 1420 |
| Lancaster, PA | 41620 | 1040 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 40960 | 900 |
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA | 40060 | 880 |
| Reading, PA | 44710 | 810 |
| Erie, PA | 38250 | 590 |
| Altoona, PA | 37690 | 300 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 42490 | 280 |
| Johnstown, PA | 36690 | 230 |
| State College, PA | 42370 | 220 |
| Lebanon, PA | 42900 | 190 |
| Williamsport, PA | 39110 | 190 |
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects medical assisting jobs to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, far faster than the average occupation, with about 112,300 openings expected each year as clinics expand and experienced MAs retire. For Pennsylvania job seekers, that translates into steady demand and plenty of room to break into the field.
How to Choose the Right Medical Assistant Program in Pennsylvania
Graduating from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program is the clearest path to the CMA (AAMA) exam, a credential many Pennsylvania employers name in job postings. Before comparing campuses, make accreditation your first screen: it tells you the program meets national training standards and keeps your certification options open.
Start with accreditation and outcomes
Accreditation matters for two practical reasons. First, the American Association of Medical Assistants requires graduation from an accredited medical assistant program with CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam. Second, employers often prefer accredited graduates because the clinical training has been independently reviewed. When you visit a program, ask for recent graduate outcomes: CMA exam pass rates, job placement rates, medical assistant salary data for graduates, and typical student debt after finishing. If a school will not share those numbers, treat that as a red flag.
Look closely at the externship
Externship structure often separates a solid program from a weak one. Ask how many clinical hours are required, where students are placed, and whether the school arranges the site or expects you to find it. Also ask about the placement rate. A high rate and nearby sites in clinics, physician offices, or outpatient centers mean less scrambling later. If you can, talk to a current student or recent graduate about whether the externship felt organized and supervised.
Match cost, format, and your life
Tuition in Pennsylvania varies widely, so compare the total cost after financial aid, not just the sticker price. Online or hybrid programs can reduce commuting time, but confirm that in-person skills labs and the externship are still included. Choosing the lowest-cost option may not help if it lacks accreditation or has weak externship support. The program list in this article already reflects many of these basics, so use it as a starting point, then prioritize what fits your schedule, budget, and commute.
Questions to Ask Yourself
More Medical Assistant Programs in Pennsylvania to Consider
Pennsylvania offers far more medical assistant training than any top 10 list can cover. This directory rounds out the picture with community colleges, state universities, and workforce training providers from Greater Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. Use the same criteria you applied above, such as accreditation, externship hours, cost, and schedule, to decide which of these fit your goals.
Greater Philadelphia
- Medical Assisting Certificate
- Medical Assistant, Associate in Applied Science (MED)
- Medical Assistant, Certificate of Proficiency
- Medical Assistant Proficiency Certificate
- Allied Health – Clinical Medical Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant
Eastern Pennsylvania
- Medical Assistant Certificate
- Medical Assistant Program
- Medical Assisting
Central Pennsylvania
- Medical Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant and Medical Scribe Professional
- Medical Assistant
- Clinical Medical Assistant
Western Pennsylvania
- Medical Assistant, A.S.
- Medical Assistant, Certificate
- Medical Office Assistant
Pennsylvania by City
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