Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants handle the paperwork and scheduling that keep medical offices running. They work in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories, using medical terminology to manage patient appointments, process billing, and maintain medical records and correspondence.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against medical secretaries and administrative assistants and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves scheduling patient appointments, answering phones, and greeting visitors. Medical secretaries transcribe medical reports, file patient charts, handle insurance billing, and prepare correspondence. Tasks require familiarity with medical terminology and office software. The role often involves coordinating between patients, doctors, and insurance companies to keep workflows organized.
Who this work suits
Holland code CSE. Conventional work is organized, detail-oriented work with clear procedures. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You prefer structured, rule-based work and enjoy helping others navigate systems. You're detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable learning medical terminology and procedures. People who succeed here value accuracy and take satisfaction in supporting healthcare teams through administrative coordination.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Administrative Assistant · Nuclear Regulatory Commission · Multiple Locations · $59095–$83119
- DRUG TESTING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT · Air Force District of Washington · Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, District of Columbia · $57736–$75059
- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (OA) · Naval Education and Training Command · Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois · $45538–$59200
- Administrative Assistant/Officer · Veterans Health Administration · Little Rock, Arkansas · $50460–$80243
- Administrative Assistant (OA) · U.S. Census Bureau · Multiple Locations · $48019–$69565
- MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT · Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command · Niagara Falls, New York · $52766–$68597
- Medical Administrative Assistant · Veterans Health Administration · East Orange, New Jersey · $59465–$77306
- Administrative Assistant (OA) · U.S. Coast Guard · Multiple Locations · $57055–$82007
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $48,510 | $58,100 | $62,840 | 10,960 |
| California | $46,590 | $54,490 | $63,330 | 115,050 |
| Massachusetts | $47,480 | $50,290 | $58,910 | 22,210 |
| Oregon | $46,510 | $50,130 | $59,370 | 16,840 |
| Minnesota | $48,100 | $50,030 | $59,290 | 16,860 |
| Hawaii | $45,790 | $49,920 | $55,420 | 2,160 |
| District of Columbia | $46,920 | $49,180 | $58,170 | 1,930 |
| New Jersey | $44,080 | $48,660 | $57,400 | 20,980 |
| Connecticut | $46,380 | $48,500 | $57,760 | 6,480 |
| New Hampshire | $45,020 | $48,410 | $53,470 | 3,680 |
| Wisconsin | $46,490 | $48,380 | $51,900 | 7,760 |
| Vermont | $45,160 | $48,200 | $57,370 | 2,390 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) — National Healthcareer Association
- Medical Administrative Assistant Certification (MAAC) — American Medical Certification Association
- Medical Administrative Assistant — Pearson
- Administrative Medical Assistant (CMAAS) — American Education Certification Association
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) — National Performance Specialists
- Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS) — American Medical Technologists
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against medical secretaries and administrative assistants and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 43-6013.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.