How to Become A Medical Assistant in Colorado

Colorado employs approximately 13,160 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,400 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical assistant in Colorado, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in Colorado

How do I become a medical assistant in Colorado? Colorado does not require a state license for medical assistants, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) and RMA (Registered Medical Assistant). Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Colorado? No state license is required, but certifications such as CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) and RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) are expected by most employers.

What do medical assistants earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Colorado is $48,400 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,130 and experienced professionals can earn $59,760 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Colorado): $48,400 per year 1

Medical Assistant Certification Options in Colorado

Colorado does not require a state license to work as a medical assistant. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for medical assistants include:

  • CMA (Certified Medical Assistant)
  • RMA (Registered Medical Assistant)

For more information, visit the AAMA - American Association of Medical Assistants 3. Contact training programs in Colorado for details on certification preparation courses.

Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical assistants wages in Colorado vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Denver-Aurora-Centennial6,440$49,700$52,250$45,500$60,580
Colorado Springs2,400$45,730$45,150$38,600$56,550
Boulder970$48,590$50,360$42,950$62,000
Greeley470$45,890$47,070$39,400$57,410
Grand Junction460$44,390$44,910$37,400$52,440
Pueblo410$45,780$45,760$36,600$58,280
Fort Collins-LovelandN/A$46,810$48,170$40,200$57,480

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Medical assistants in Colorado

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical assistant employment within Colorado according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Denver-Aurora-Centennial6,440$49,700
Colorado Springs2,400$45,730
Boulder970$48,590
Greeley470$45,890
Grand Junction460$44,390

Explore More Trades in Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical assistants in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 13,160 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Colorado.

How much do medical assistants earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Colorado is $48,400, which is $4,200 above the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

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/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. AAMA - American Association of Medical Assistants: https://www.aama-ntl.org/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)