Medical Assistant in Missouri

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MO. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$39,310

trending_down -11.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Missouri.

engineering

11,860

Jobs (MO)

monitoring Surging

+12.5%

10-yr job growth

schedule

Typically 9-24 months for accredited programs, though some certificate programs can be as short as 4-6 months.

Time to complete

route How to become a medical assistant in Missouri

In Missouri, Medical Assistants are not licensed by the state and there is no state-mandated licensing body. While not legally required, obtaining a national certification (such as CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is the industry standard and highly recommended by employers. Aspiring Medical Assistants typically complete an accredited training program, which can range from 4-6 months for a certificate to 24 months for an associate's degree, and then pass a national certification exam. They practice under the direct supervision of a licensed physician, who is responsible for ensuring their competency.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $33,370

25th percentile $36,550

50th (median) $39,310

75th percentile $44,790

90th (experienced) $46,940

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Missouri. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Missouri requirements

Licensing body	Missouri does not have a state-mandated licensing body for Medical Assistants.
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assisting program is highly recommended and often required by employers.
Exam	National certification exams (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) are industry standards but not state-mandated.
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	60.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Medical Assistants in Missouri are not licensed by the state and practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician. The delegating physician is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Most training programs require applicants to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check, drug screen, and physical exam with immunizations. Some programs may also require a negative Hepatitis and TB test. Certification renewal for national certifications (like CCMA) is typically every two years and requires continuing education or re-examination.

Source: Missouri does not have a state-mandated licensing body for Medical Assistants.

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+12.5%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

112,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

811,000

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure 0.15/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.5%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a medical assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a medical assistant in Missouri? expand_more

The path to medical assistant licensure in Missouri: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED; completion of an accredited Medical Assisting program is highly recommended and often required by employers.), and pass the National certification exams (e.g., CMA, RMA, CCMA) are industry standards but not state-mandated..

Do I need a license to work as a medical assistant in Missouri? expand_more

Missouri does not require a state license for medical assistants. Note: Medical Assistants in Missouri are not licensed by the state and practice under the direct supervision and delegation of a licensed physician. The delegating physician is responsible for ensuring the MA is competent. Most training programs require applicants to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass a background check, drug screen, and physical exam with immunizations. Some programs may also require a negative Hepatitis and TB test. Certification renewal for national certifications (like CCMA) is typically every two years and requires continuing education or re-examination.

What is the average medical assistant salary in Missouri? expand_more

medical assistants in Missouri earn a median of $39,310 annually. — 11% under the $44,200 national average. Wages range from $33,370 (10th percentile) up to $46,940 (90th percentile).

How many months or years does medical assistant certification take in Missouri? expand_more

The typical timeline in Missouri is Typically 9-24 months for accredited programs, though some certificate programs can be as short as 4-6 months.. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What's required to renew a medical assistant license in Missouri? expand_more

Yes — medical assistants in Missouri must complete 60.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.