Choosing a medical assistant program in Pasadena usually comes down to a tradeoff: the low tuition and local reputation of Pasadena City College against the shorter timelines of private and hybrid programs that cost several times more. Both paths lead to the same entry-level roles at Huntington Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Pasadena, and the outpatient clinics filling the San Gabriel Valley, where medical assistant demand continues to outpace supply.
California does not license medical assistants, but employers here consistently favor graduates of accredited programs who hold a national certification like the CCMA or CMA.
Medical Assistant Jobs and Employers in Pasadena
Medical assistant jobs in Pasadena are the day-to-day clinical and administrative openings at hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices across the city and greater Los Angeles area, ranging from entry-level roles at pediatric or general clinics to specialized positions in orthopedics, oncology, or primary care.
Who's Hiring
Pasadena's medical assistant job market is anchored by large health systems and multi-site groups rather than small standalone offices. Employers actively posting openings include Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente Pasadena, City of Hope, Huntington Hospital, USC/Keck-affiliated clinics, UnitedHealth Group, Unio Health Partners, Monument Health, and HCA-affiliated practices in nearby South Pasadena. Specialty clinics in orthopedics and pediatrics also hire regularly, and short-term travel medical assistant contracts (often around 13 weeks)6 show up from time to time for MAs willing to work flexible assignments.
What Employers Expect
Most postings ask for completion of a medical assistant training program at minimum, and many prefer or require national certification such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA certification. BLS certification (typically from the American Heart Association, sometimes Red Cross) is commonly required, though some employers allow new hires a window, often around 60 days, to complete certification or BLS after starting. Experience requirements vary widely: some entry-level roles accept new graduates4, while others, including UnitedHealth Group3 and Monument Health, look for a year or more of hands-on MA experience. HCA offers multiple paths in, including a completed MA program, 12 months of direct clinical care experience, or an active MA certification. EMR familiarity and bilingual English-Spanish skills are frequently listed as pluses, especially in outpatient and pediatric settings.
Current Hiring Trends
Job boards show steady demand concentrated in Pasadena and the broader Los Angeles metro, with typical hourly pay around $21.70 and a range of $18.61 to $23.85 for most openings1, though specialty and system-affiliated roles like those at Cedars-Sinai can reach into the low $30s2. Entry-level positions coexist with postings targeting more experienced MAs, suggesting openings at multiple career stages rather than a single hiring pattern.
Medical Assistant Salary in Pasadena and Los Angeles Metro
Pasadena is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metropolitan area, so the figures below are the closest published BLS benchmark for medical assistant pay in the Pasadena area. According to the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program for 2024, medical assistants in this metro area earned a median annual wage of $46,000. The reported 25th to 75th percentile range was $39,550 to $56,200; 10th and 90th percentile values were not included in the available data. California state median and national median figures were not available in this section's source data.
| Metric | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA |
|---|---|
| Total employment | 34,570 |
| Mean annual wage | $48,670 |
| 25th percentile annual wage | $39,550 |
| Median annual wage | $46,000 |
| 75th percentile annual wage | $56,200 |
Your Step-By-Step Path to Medical Assistant Certification in California
California does not license medical assistants, but most employers look for a completed training program and a national or state certification. You will work under a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed provider, performing non-invasive routine support. While the state does not require a background check or drug screen, individual employers may request them.
How to Choose the Right Medical Assistant Program in Pasadena
The Pasadena City College cost page estimates the medical assistant program total at about $4,000, with tuition listed at $46 per unit for a 40-unit program and additional costs for books, uniforms, exam fees, and background screening. That figure is a useful starting point, but choosing a Pasadena-area program means looking beyond the headline number.
Start With Accreditation and Exam Eligibility
Accreditation matters most when it is time to sit for a certification exam. CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation is the most direct route to CMA (AAMA) eligibility, so contact any Pasadena-area program and ask for its current accreditation status before you enroll. The public program pages reviewed here do not clearly confirm CAAHEP or ABHES status for local options, so treat that as a verification step rather than an assumption. If a school says it qualifies you for certification, ask which exam and which credential.
Compare the Full Cost, Not Just Tuition
- Pasadena City College: The posted estimate is about $4,000 in total. Tuition accounts for $46 per unit across 40 units, with other listed expenses including about $1,500 for books, $150 for uniforms, a $125 exam fee, and a $25 background check.
- CALRegional Pasadena: Advertises tuition at $2,995 or less, but the all-in cost after books, supplies, and exam fees is not published in the available materials.
- Integrity College of Health: Reports much higher 2023-2024 costs, including $24,980 for tuition and fees and $8,414 for books and supplies. Off-campus costs of attendance are listed at $120,228, or $49,102 with family; these totals include living expenses, not just the program.
Always ask for a written cost sheet that separates tuition, fees, books, supplies, background checks, CPR, liability insurance, and certification exam fees. Some figures may vary slightly across program pages, so confirm the current year's breakdown before comparing schools.
Check Schedule, Format, and Outcomes
Program length and schedule flexibility are not the same everywhere. Ask whether classes run during the day, evening, or weekend, and whether the program offers online medical assistant programs or hybrid options. Also ask for recent CMA exam pass rates and job placement or externship support. Pass-rate data for Pasadena-area programs was not available in the sources reviewed, so request current numbers directly from the school and treat a clear answer as a sign of transparency.
Choosing well comes down to verifying accreditation, getting an itemized cost picture, and matching the schedule to your life, not just picking the lowest advertised tuition.
What You'll Learn: Curriculum and Clinical Training
Core Classroom and Lab Topics
Pasadena City College's Medical Assisting Administrative/Clinical AS Certificate blends front-office and back-office skills.1 Coursework typically includes medical terminology, human disease, introductory pharmacology, medical insurance and reimbursement, and health IT with electronic health records.4 You will also practice medical office software tasks such as scheduling, patient demographics, insurance entry, accounts receivable, and records management.
Hands-On Clinical Skills
Lab time focuses on clinical assisting techniques, phlebotomy, and laboratory procedures.2 Students practice in clinical or simulated settings before working with patients. Broader medical assistant training at medical assistant schools in the Pasadena area often reinforces vital signs, specimen collection, injections and medications as permitted by California law, exam-room preparation, and assisting physicians during visits.
The Externship or Practicum
At Pasadena City College, the practicum is a 4-unit, in-person experience that lasts about six weeks and includes roughly 162 hours of unpaid clinical training.4 Placements are typically in physician offices and outpatient clinics, and students should plan to provide their own transportation to off-campus sites.3 Hours and site types can vary, so ask whether the program assigns your placement or provides a list of approved sites.
Your medical assistant externship is where classroom skills turn into professional habits. Many employers treat this supervised training as a working interview, and it often leads to a job offer after graduation.
Average Total Program Cost in Pasadena
Medical assistant program costs in Pasadena typically fall between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on program type and credential level.
Medical Assistant Program Admissions: Step-By-Step Application Guide
Applying to a Pasadena medical assistant program is less about luck and more about following a clear sequence: gather documents, meet the deadline, and show you are ready for patient-facing clinical work. Pasadena City College's Medical Assisting Program Overview is a useful reference point because its steps are clearly published, but many other local programs follow a similar path.
Common Prerequisites
Before you start the online application, collect the basics. Most programs expect a high school diploma or GED, and minimum age policies vary by school, so confirm the age requirement before applying. Pasadena City College's Patient Intake Specialist certificate requires a 2.0 overall GPA and a 2.0 GPA in college work, plus two transcripts.1 The college's medical assistant program recommends but does not require Medical Terminology and either Anatomy 25 or Biology 3. Expect to show immunization records.1 PCC's medical assistant track requires health clearance, a background check, BLS and First Aid certification, and COVID-19 vaccination. The Patient Intake Specialist path adds a chest x-ray or Mantoux test and an Ishihara color vision screen after acceptance,1 while some clinical sites also request drug screening.
Application Steps
Start with the general college application, then complete the specific medical assistant program application during its open window. At PCC, both steps are online. Upload official high school transcripts or GED equivalency unless you hold an associate degree or higher on U.S. college transcripts. Also upload official transcripts from every U.S. college you have attended, including PCC, as PDFs. After your file is reviewed, you wait for a decision. Admission to PCC does not guarantee a seat in the medical assistant program, so treat the program application as the one that counts. Some private or short-term Pasadena-area programs use an interview or an entrance exam in place of prerequisites, so be ready for either.
Deadlines and Interview Prep
Plan around specific opening windows. PCC's medical assistant program accepts applications for fall from April 18 to July 18 and for spring from September 15 to October 31. The Patient Intake Specialist certificate uses year-round applications,1 but health sciences tracks can have separate dates, so verify the correct window before applying. - Request transcripts first: Official documents can take days or weeks from other colleges. - Work backwards: Schedule transcript uploads, immunization checks, and background checks two to three weeks early. - Prepare a clear story: If an interview or placement test is needed, practice a brief answer on why you chose medical assisting and mention caregiving or customer service.
Related Articles
Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in Pasadena
Below are the top medical assistant programs serving Pasadena students, ranked by completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. Pasadena City College offers the most direct in-town public pathway, while nearby hybrid and private options create flexible alternatives for working adults.
Pasadena City College
#1Pasadena, CA · $0 – $5,000/yr
Best for: Local students needing flexible evening pacing
Pasadena City College is the most direct local option, with a CAAHEP-accredited certificate and associate pathway covering both administrative and clinical skills. The college offers full-time, part-time, and evening schedules, making it workable for students already balancing a job. Institutionally, PCC reports a graduation rate near 48% and median earnings near $43,900 for students who received federal financial aid.
- CAAHEP accredited certificate and associate pathway
- 11-month full-time or 24-month part-time pacing
- Training in phlebotomy, EKGs, lab procedures, and minor surgery assistance
- 95% job placement rate reported
- Prepares for AAMA certification exam
- Evening classes available for spring entry
- Administrative concentration covering billing, records, and insurance
- Front-office skills for medical offices and clinics
Platt College-Los Angeles
#2Alhambra, CA · $25,000 – $30,000/yr
Best for: Working adults wanting hybrid associate training
Platt College's Alhambra campus sits just outside Pasadena and offers a private-college associate degree pathway with a hybrid schedule. The program combines online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical externships, which reduces commute frequency for local students. The institution reports a graduation rate near 63% and median earnings near $40,700 for aid recipients.
- Associate of Science in as little as 15 months
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- Clinical training in venipuncture, injections, and EKGs
- Clinical externships included
- Free certification exam tutoring and first exam fee support
- ACCSC accredited
American Career College-Los Angeles
#3Los Angeles, CA · $32,000/yr
Best for: Career changers needing accelerated hybrid classes
American Career College's Los Angeles campus is a realistic commute for Pasadena students, with a nine-month hybrid format requiring only two on-campus days per week. The program includes a 200-hour externship and weekend class options, making it easier for working adults to fit training into a busy schedule. The institution reports a graduation rate near 75% and median earnings near $38,400.
- Nine-month hybrid program with online coursework
- Two in-person class days weekly with weekend options
- Includes a 200-hour clinical externship
- Covers patient exams, office management, and clinical procedures
- 50.5 quarter credits and 780 clock hours
Angeles College
#4Los Angeles, CA · $29,000/yr (net price)
Angeles College offers a focused medical assistant certificate at its City of Industry campus, with rolling admissions and day or evening class blocks. Students practice administrative and clinical skills in on-campus labs before moving into clinic, hospital, or physician office settings. Institutionally, Angeles College reports a graduation rate near 93% and median earnings near $49,100.
- Certificate program covering administrative and clinical duties
- Hands-on practice in on-campus skill labs
- Training in patient intake, medical records, and lab procedures
- City of Industry campus with day and evening schedules
- Rolling admissions with monthly start dates
Los Angeles City College
#5Los Angeles, CA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Los Angeles City College offers a short front-office medical assistant certificate that can be completed in 102 to 135 hours. The program focuses on scheduling, records, billing, insurance, and basic life support, making it a quick entry point to healthcare administration. The college reports an institutional graduation rate near 29% and median earnings near $36,200.
- Complete in 102 to 135 hours
- Covers scheduling, patient records, bookkeeping, billing, and insurance processing
- Medical terminology and basic life support included
- Offers a microcredential
West Los Angeles College
#6Culver City, CA · ~$10,000/yr (est.)
West Los Angeles College offers both certificate and degree options with a one-year, part-time evening and Saturday schedule. The program includes hands-on clinical training and qualifies graduates to pursue state certification through the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants. The college reports a graduation rate near 28% and median earnings near $38,500.
- One-year part-time evening and Saturday schedule
- Certificate and degree options available
- Hands-on training in administrative and clinical skills
- Eligible for California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants exam
- Admission includes physical exam, vaccinations, drug screening, and CPR
Cerritos College
#7Norwalk, CA · $0 – $5,000/yr
Cerritos College offers both a certificate of achievement and an associate degree in medical assisting, with full-time and part-time paths. The program includes an internship or work experience placement and covers both front-office and back-office skills. Institutionally, Cerritos reports a graduation rate near 31% and median earnings near $41,200.
- Requires Certificate of Achievement plus A&P 120 and general education
- Minimum 60 units, full-time in two semesters
- Internship or work experience placement
- Internship placement includes health clearance and background check
- 29 credit hours over two semesters
- Covers front-office and back-office skills
- Estimated $600 for books and equipment
- Requires CPR/First Aid certification
Long Beach City College
#8Long Beach, CA · $2,000 – $13,000/yr
Long Beach City College runs a two-semester medical assisting pathway with combined administrative/clinical, administrative, and clinical options. Cohorts are limited to 40 students and start in the fall, with certificate and associate degree routes available. The college reports a graduation rate near 30% and median earnings near $38,900.
- Two-semester program starting fall only
- 40 students per cohort, first-come first-served
- Associate degree and Certificate of Achievement options
- WASC accredited
- Certificate of Achievement with administrative concentration
- Covers scheduling, medical records, billing and coding
- Two semesters, fall start
- Prepares for entry-level administrative roles
- Certificate of Achievement with clinical concentration
- Covers vital signs, phlebotomy, and patient examinations
- Two semesters, fall start
- Prepares for entry-level clinical roles
University of California-Los Angeles
#9Los Angeles, CA · $13,000/yr (net price)
UCLA Health and UCLA Extension offer a four-quarter medical assistant certificate with strong local employer connections. The program includes a 200-hour clinical internship and reports high certification pass and job placement rates, with many graduates hired by UCLA Health clinics, including Pasadena-area sites. Institutionally, UCLA reports a graduation rate near 93% and median earnings near $82,500.
- Four-quarter certificate with 68 units and 13 courses
- 200-hour clinical internship
- Prepares for NCCT NCMA certification
- 100% certification pass rate and 90% job placement rate
- Partnership with UCLA Health and employee tuition discounts
- CAAHEP accredited with no college degree requirement
University of Southern California
#10Los Angeles, CA · $33,000/yr
USC offers a 15-16 week medical assistant certificate designed for high school juniors and seniors, with dual high school and college credit. The program includes 6-8 week internships and prepares students for State of California certification. Institutionally, USC reports a graduation rate near 92% and median earnings near $92,500.
- 15-16 week certificate for high school juniors and seniors
- Dual high school and college credit
- 6-8 week internships at medical facilities
- State of California Certification eligibility
- Partnership with West Los Angeles College
Downey Adult School
#11Downey, CA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Downey Adult School provides a clinical medical assistant certificate with 660 hours of instruction including an externship. Day, evening, and hybrid options are available, and the program prepares students for both national and California certification exams. The school reports a graduation rate near 31% and median earnings near $46,900.
- 660 total hours including externship
- Day, evening, and hybrid options
- Prepares for NCCT and California state certification
- $4,999 total tuition including books
- Training in vital signs, injections, venipuncture, EKG, and minor surgery
Mt San Antonio College
#12Walnut, CA · $1,000 – $10,000/yr
Mt. San Antonio College offers a medical assistant certificate of completion covering clinical and administrative foundations, with recommended electives in terminology and anatomy. The program emphasizes job readiness and can serve as a foundation for further health career training. The college reports a graduation rate near 45% and median earnings near $46,300.
- Certificate of Completion program
- Covers scope of practice, pharmacology, front-office operations
- Laboratory procedures and examinations
- Recommended electives in medical terminology and anatomy
- Prepares for entry-level roles in offices and clinics
Graduate Earnings for Top Pasadena Programs
Program-level earnings for top Pasadena medical assistant programs have not been published yet.
Next Steps to Launch Your Medical Assistant Career in Pasadena
Your path into a medical assistant career comes down to five decisions made in order: compare programs, apply, secure financial aid, complete training, and get certified. Skipping ahead or getting the order wrong is what stalls most aspiring MAs, not lack of ability.
A Simple Action Checklist
Before committing to any one school, work through this list:
- Request info: Contact 2 to 3 programs in the Pasadena area to compare tuition, schedule, and externship placement support.
- Verify accreditation: Confirm each program holds recognized accreditation before you pay any deposit or enrollment fee.
- Tour or attend an info session: Walk the campus, meet instructors, and ask current students about their experience.
- Check financial aid options: Ask about payment plans, scholarships, and federal aid eligibility for each program you're considering.
- Confirm certification exam prep: Make sure the curriculum aligns with the certification exam you plan to take after graduation.
Apply Early
Popular programs near 91001 fill clinical externship slots and cohort seats months in advance. Starting your applications early gives you first pick of start dates, better financial aid windows, and more leverage in choosing a program that fits your schedule rather than settling for whatever's left.
