How to Become A Medical Assistant in Wisconsin

Wisconsin employs approximately 13,810 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,680 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 Wisconsin, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in Wisconsin

How do I become a medical assistant in Wisconsin? Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Wisconsin is $48,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,480 and experienced professionals can earn $57,990 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 (Wisconsin): $48,680 per year 1

Medical Assistant Certification Options in Wisconsin

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin for details on certification preparation courses.

Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington7,390$52,570$53,190$45,160$60,100
Milwaukee-Waukesha4,170$49,590$50,340$41,040$58,990
Madison2,080$48,750$50,340$40,500$58,720
Green Bay800$47,910$47,540$38,320$56,940
Duluth750$47,990$47,650$37,640$58,850
Eau Claire660$48,160$48,930$39,560$58,030
La Crosse-Onalaska570$47,960$47,750$38,820$55,690
Wausau510$47,870$48,670$39,340$57,870
Oshkosh-Neenah460$48,230$47,760$38,900$56,320
Appleton450$49,330$49,730$39,950$58,790
Racine-Mount Pleasant370$49,480$49,150$39,780$55,800
Sheboygan370$49,560$49,760$41,390$56,400
Kenosha340$49,620$48,960$38,890$56,980
Janesville-Beloit240$46,600$47,010$39,110$55,320
Fond du Lac190$47,860$48,090$39,560$56,150

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 Wisconsin

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Milwaukee-Waukesha4,170$49,590
Madison2,080$48,750
Green Bay800$47,910
Eau Claire660$48,160
La Crosse-Onalaska570$47,960

Explore More Trades in Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical assistants in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 13,810 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do medical assistants earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in Wisconsin is $48,680, which is $4,480 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)