Best Medical Assistant Programs in Salinas, California (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Quick answer: Medical assistants in California earn a median of $49,660 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited medical assistant schools near Salinas, California with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.

Several training options serve medical assistant students near Salinas, California, from short certificates to longer hands-on programs. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $49,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Salinas Quick Facts

MetricValueSource
State median annual wage$49,660BLS OEWS, May 2025
California pay range (10th to 90th percentile)$39,290 to $77,300BLS OEWS, May 2025
Salinas, CA metro median wage$48,890BLS OEWS, May 2025
National job outlook (2024 to 2034)+12.5% growth, about 112,300 openings per yearBLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
State employment117,060 workersBLS OEWS, May 2025
Monterey County establishments320BLS QCEW, 2024
Monterey County unemployment rate7.3%BLS LAUS, 2024
California location quotient1.22BLS OEWS, May 2025

Nearby Cities

Explore the Medical assistant Career

What You’ll Find Below

The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Salinas. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the Monterey County and California figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.

Medical Assistant Training near Salinas

#1

CET-Salinas

Salinas, CA 1.8 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 112
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $40,676 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Central Coast College

Salinas, CA 1.8 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 74.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 11
  • Annual completions: 488
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $42,710 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

CET-Watsonville

Watsonville, CA 18.5 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 76.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 149
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $40,676 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Gavilan College

Gilroy, CA 19.9 miles away
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 37
  • Annual completions: 500
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing: $56,285 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Medical Assistant Salary Snapshot

U.S.
U.S. Median Pay $45,690 $21.97 per hour
Job Outlook 12.5% 101,200 jobs (2024–2034)
112,300 openings/yr
Data Year: 2025 SOC: 31-9092 Source: BLS OEWS

Certification & Exams in California

  1. Complete an accredited medical assistant certificate, diploma, or associate degree program.
  2. Finish your clinical externship hours and build confidence with front- and back-office skills.
  3. Sit for credentials like AAMA CMA, AMT RMA, or NHA CCMA based on employer preferences.

Tips for Choosing a Medical Assistant Program

  • Confirm the school is CAAHEP or ABHES accredited if you plan to earn the CMA credential.
  • Ask about lab simulations, EHR training, and how externship placements are coordinated.
  • Compare day, evening, and accelerated schedules that fit your work and family commitments.
  • Review certification exam pass rates, career support services, and employer partnerships. Individual outcomes may vary.

Medical-Assistant Salary in U.S.

Median Salary $45,690 $21.97/hr
Average Salary $46,120 $22.17/hr

Salary Range

$36,050 10th pctl
$45,690 Median
$59,310 90th pctl
10th Percentile $36,050 $17.33/hr
25th Percentile $38,470 $18.50/hr
75th Percentile $49,180 $23.65/hr
90th Percentile $59,310 $28.52/hr

Employment & Outlook

Total Employed817,870
Growth (2024-2034)12.5%
Annual Openings112,300
Jobs per 1,0005.3

Medical Assistants (31-9092) • BLS OEWS, May 2025 • bls.gov/oes

Next Steps

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade career guide using BLS, DOL, and state licensing data. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.