How to Become a Medical Assistant in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 75,340 medical assistants earning a median $39,520 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 (Texas): $39,520/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Texas: 75,340 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.02x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 12.5% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Sponsored - request program info
Texas employs approximately 75,340 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,520 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 Texas, 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 (Texas): $39,520 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Medical Assistant in Texas
How to become a Medical Assistant in Texas? 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 Texas? 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 Texas? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Texas is $39,520 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,200 and experienced professionals can earn $49,260 or more 1.
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Texas
- 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 Texas, 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 Texas
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 Texas
Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical assistants wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 20,560 | $43,100 | $43,810 | $35,570 | $55,620 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 18,280 | $42,110 | $41,590 | $30,910 | $49,360 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 7,580 | $39,180 | $41,480 | $35,950 | $46,870 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 5,830 | $45,820 | $45,390 | $37,210 | $54,820 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 2,820 | $34,810 | $34,030 | $27,240 | $41,480 |
| El Paso | 1,980 | $35,790 | $35,950 | $28,710 | $44,800 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 1,360 | $34,960 | $34,600 | $27,720 | $43,600 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,190 | $37,070 | $37,950 | $30,280 | $46,740 |
| Killeen-Temple | 910 | $40,270 | $41,330 | $33,670 | $48,630 |
| Lubbock | 850 | $36,900 | $37,650 | $30,380 | $44,500 |
| Tyler | 760 | $37,460 | $37,870 | $30,090 | $44,720 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 700 | $37,690 | $39,520 | $31,580 | $47,890 |
| Amarillo | 690 | $37,170 | $38,050 | $29,600 | $45,440 |
| Waco | 690 | $38,910 | $40,350 | $33,380 | $48,210 |
| Longview | 670 | $37,040 | $38,110 | $31,190 | $44,960 |
| Laredo | 640 | $35,320 | $34,780 | $28,060 | $43,240 |
| Wichita Falls | 570 | $40,240 | $40,260 | $31,400 | $46,530 |
| College Station-Bryan | 560 | $37,850 | $39,340 | $33,430 | $45,720 |
| Abilene | 350 | $37,550 | $38,280 | $30,610 | $44,830 |
| Sherman-Denison | 310 | $38,800 | $41,550 | $34,240 | $49,380 |
| Midland | 300 | $44,010 | $42,670 | $36,450 | $48,490 |
| Odessa | 280 | $37,820 | $39,890 | $31,980 | $47,410 |
| San Angelo | 250 | $36,550 | $36,560 | $27,640 | $44,340 |
| Texarkana | 230 | $36,160 | $36,460 | $29,030 | $44,040 |
| Victoria | 190 | $37,060 | $37,320 | $28,740 | $45,430 |
| Eagle Pass | 110 | $29,490 | $32,410 | $28,040 | $38,680 |
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 Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 75,340 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Texas.
How much do medical assistants earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Texas is $39,520, which is $4,680 below the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Texas
Top local programs
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Abilene, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alice, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Allen, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Alvin, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Amarillo, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Arlington, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Balch Springs, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Baytown, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Beaumont, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Bedford, Texas (2026)
- Best Medical Assistant Programs in Belton, Texas (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Texas
- Best HVAC Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Texas
- Best Plumbing Schools in Texas (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in Texas
Explore More Trades in Texas
- Electrician in Texas
- Plumber in Texas
- HVAC Technician in Texas
- Welder in Texas
- Carpenter in Texas
- Solar Installation Technician in Texas
- Auto Mechanic in Texas
- CNC Machinist in Texas
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Texas
- Massage Therapist in Texas
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) |