Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

People in this career handle the daily administrative operations of hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Their primary responsibilities include scheduling patient appointments, processing bills, and compiling medical charts and correspondence. This role requires a strong conventional interest area, meaning workers thrive in structured environments where they can organize data and documents.

On a typical day, these assistants work with computers to process information, document records, and communicate with supervisors and colleagues. Because they perform services directly for the public, they must establish positive interpersonal relationships and assist patients with care and empathy. Key skills for this job include active listening, clear speaking, reading comprehension, and service orientation. Workers must also possess strong knowledge of customer service, administrative procedures, the English language, and basic medicine. To succeed, assistants need to demonstrate attention to detail, dependability, cooperation, and stress tolerance when handling sensitive medical files and busy waiting rooms.

To enter this field, candidates typically need a high school diploma. The career is classified under O*NET Job Zone 2, which means most workers require some preparation, such as a high school education combined with some previous experience or on-the-job training. Students interested in this path often major in health and medical administrative services or veterinary administrative services.

While a high school diploma is the standard entry requirement, some states list licensing guidelines for this profession. Additionally, candidates can earn professional certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Available credentials include the Administrative Assistant (PA) or Administrative Assisting certificates from NOCTI, and the Administrative Medical Assistant certification from the American Education Certification Association. Other options are the Certified Health Unit Coordinator credential, or the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant designation offered by the National Performance Specialists and the National Healthcareer Association.

The median annual pay for these professionals is $45,930. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10 percent of workers earning less than $35,930, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $60,530.

With 961,610 people currently employed in this field, the occupation is large. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 4.8 percent, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth and normal staff turnover are expected to generate approximately 89,200 job openings each year.