Medical assistants in Virginia earn a median $44,740 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited medical assistant schools near Norton, sorted by distance, with program lengths, credentials, and local wage data to help you compare training options.
Key Facts
Virginia median wage: $44,740/yr
National job outlook: +12.5% (2024-2034), ~112,300 openings/yr
Virginia employment: 16,650 workers
Pay range (10th-90th pct): $37,090 to $52,000
Typical program length: 6-12 months (certificate); ~2 yrs (associate)
Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034; IPEDS / program catalogs, 2023.
Medical Assistant Schools near Norton
How We Rank Schools
We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that
local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal
IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%
Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
#1
Mountain Empire Community College
📍
Big Stone Gap, VA
•9.1 miles away•BOC Score
49.2
Annual Wage by Percentile - Medical AssistantsSource: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Medical Assistants annual wage percentiles
Percentile
Annual wage
10th
$36,050
25th
$38,470
50th (median)
$45,690
75th
$49,180
90th
$59,310
Projected employment growth, Medical Assistants, 2024-2034Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Medical Assistants employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year
Employment
2024
811,000
2034 projected
912,200
Percent change
+12.5%
Medical Assistant Pay and Job Outlook
Annual Wage by Percentile - Medical AssistantsSource: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Medical Assistants annual wage percentiles
Percentile
Annual wage
10th
$36,050
25th
$38,470
50th (median)
$45,690
75th
$49,180
90th
$59,310
Projected employment growth, Medical Assistants, 2024-2034Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Medical Assistants employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year
Employment
2024
811,000
2034 projected
912,200
Percent change
+12.5%
How to become a medical assistant in Virginia
Finish high school or earn a GED. Most accredited medical assistant programs require a high school diploma or GED for admission.
Complete an accredited program. Enroll in a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assistant certificate, diploma, or associate degree program covering clinical and administrative skills.
Complete a supervised externship. Finish the required clinical externship hours to build front- and back-office experience before graduation.
Earn a national certification. Sit for a recognized credential such as the AAMA CMA, AMT RMA, or NHA CCMA, based on employer preferences. Certification is voluntary in most states but widely preferred by employers.
Apply for medical assistant roles. Apply to clinics, physician offices, and hospitals in Virginia. Keep credentials current and verify any employer- or facility-specific requirements.
Medical assisting is not a state-licensed occupation in most states, including Virginia; national certification (AAMA, AMT, or NHA) is voluntary but widely preferred by employers. Confirm any facility-specific requirements before enrolling.
Training Pathways & Externships
Most medical assistants train through a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or associate degree that combines classroom instruction with a supervised clinical externship. A smaller number enter through registered apprenticeships or on-the-job training; confirm hour totals and externship placement details with each program before enrolling.
What You Study
Medical assistant programs cover clinical skills (taking vitals, phlebotomy, EKGs, assisting with minor procedures, administering injections where permitted) and administrative skills (scheduling, medical records, EHR systems, billing and coding basics, and patient communication). Hands-on labs and an externship bridge classroom learning and real clinic work.
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 (if published) and ask about career support services. Individual outcomes may vary.
Popular Online Programs In Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does medical assistant training take near Norton?
Medical assistant certificate and diploma programs typically take 6 to 12 months of full-time study, while associate degree programs generally run about 2 years. Actual completion time depends on schedule (full-time vs. part-time) and any prerequisite coursework.
How much do medical assistants earn in Virginia?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), medical assistants in Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,740. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $37,090 to $52,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is medical assisting a growing career?
Yes. BLS Employment Projections (2024-2034) estimate medical assistant employment nationally will change +12.5%, with about 112,300 openings per year, including replacements.
Do I need certification to work as a medical assistant in Virginia?
Medical assisting is not a state-licensed profession in most states, but many employers prefer or require a national credential such as the AAMA CMA, AMT RMA, or NHA CCMA. Confirm requirements with prospective employers and your program before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
