How to Become a Medical Assistant in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 27,810 medical assistants earning a median $39,870 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Medical Assistant here means completing a medical assisting program of typically less than a year plus CMA or RMA; most states do not license medical assistants.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Michigan): $39,870/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Michigan: 27,810 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.20x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 12.5% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Medical Assistant Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing Community College | 48.5 | Contact school for pricing | $56,314 | 24% | Yes* | 34 mi |
| 2 | Ross Medical Education Center-Midland | 47.3 | Contact school for pricing | $34,405 | 77% | — | 33 mi |
| 3 | Delta College | 46.8 | $4,820 - $13,541 | $52,169 | 21% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 4 | Montcalm Community College | 40.9 | Contact school for pricing | $55,704 | 29% | — | 23 mi |
| 5 | Ross Medical Education Center-Lansing | 33.0 | Contact school for pricing | $32,987 | 64% | — | 37 mi |
| 6 | Ross Medical Education Center-Saginaw | 30.7 | Contact school for pricing | $31,741 | 57% | — | 34 mi |
| 7 | Ross Medical Education Center-Flint | 30.6 | Contact school for pricing | $31,741 | 60% | — | 49 mi |
| 8 | Dorsey College-Grand Rapids | 23.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 51 mi |
| 9 | Dorsey College-Saginaw | 22.1 | Contact school for pricing | $34,001 | 57% | — | 37 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Michigan employs approximately 27,810 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,870 1. The state’s concentration of medical assistant jobs is 1.20x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: medical assisting certificate or diploma program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a medical assisting program of typically less than a year plus CMA or RMA; most states do not license medical assistants
- Exam: CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT)
- Median wage (Michigan): $39,870 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Medical Assistant in Michigan
How to become a Medical Assistant in Michigan? Complete a medical assisting program of typically less than a year plus CMA or RMA; most states do not license medical assistants. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a medical assisting program of typically less than a year plus CMA or RMA; most states do not license medical assistants. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT). See the licensing section below.
What do medical assistants earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Michigan is $39,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,000 and experienced professionals can earn $48,330 or more 1.
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Michigan
- Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete a medical assisting program. Finish a certificate or diploma program in Michigan, often under a year. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Earn CMA or RMA. Pass CMA (AAMA) or RMA (AMT). Employers typically require one of these.
- Confirm any state delegation rules. Most states do not license medical assistants. Scope is set by the delegating provider and state medical-board rules.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Medical Assistant License Requirements in Michigan
Most states do not license medical assistants. Employers expect CMA or RMA after a short program.
Typical path
Complete a medical assisting program.
Earn CMA or RMA.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical assistants wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 12,400 | $39,410 | $41,380 | $33,280 | $48,750 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 2,800 | $39,890 | $42,740 | $36,160 | $48,020 |
| Ann Arbor | 2,440 | $43,180 | $44,050 | $37,210 | $49,860 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 1,180 | $38,600 | $41,480 | $34,680 | $48,330 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 980 | $46,690 | $44,040 | $35,610 | $49,260 |
| Flint | 940 | $37,500 | $39,480 | $34,620 | $46,880 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 840 | $44,600 | $43,200 | $36,850 | $48,650 |
| Saginaw | 750 | $41,330 | $40,350 | $35,320 | $45,850 |
| Traverse City | 430 | $42,580 | $41,490 | $35,740 | $47,890 |
| Battle Creek | 400 | $39,980 | $41,730 | $36,430 | $47,740 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 380 | $40,190 | $41,030 | $34,990 | $47,590 |
| Midland | 320 | $39,360 | $39,220 | $32,030 | $44,950 |
| Niles | 290 | $41,100 | $40,890 | $35,000 | $48,200 |
| Monroe | 270 | $36,150 | $37,990 | $31,540 | $45,760 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 240 | $44,520 | $43,240 | $36,800 | $48,920 |
| Jackson | 240 | $40,230 | $41,520 | $35,600 | $47,000 |
| Bay City | 210 | $38,540 | $38,930 | $30,480 | $45,310 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical assistants in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 27,810 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan.
How much do medical assistants earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Michigan is $39,870, which is $4,330 below the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |