Medical Assistant in New Jersey

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

Median annual salary

$46,280

trending_up +4.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New Jersey.

engineering

22,530

Jobs (NJ)

monitoring Surging

+12.5%

10-yr job growth

schedule

9-24 months (program dependent)

Time to complete

route How to become a medical assistant in New Jersey

To become a Medical Assistant in New Jersey, individuals are not required to hold a state-issued license. However, state law mandates certification from a recognized board approved by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners to practice. Aspiring Medical Assistants should complete an accredited medical assistant program and pass one of the approved national certification exams, such as the CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA. While there is no state license, certification is crucial for employment and legal practice in New Jersey.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,150

25th percentile $38,820

50th (median) $46,280

75th percentile $49,100

90th (experienced) $57,470

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

checklist New Jersey requirements

Licensing body	New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
State license	Not required
Education	Completion of a medical assistant program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, or an equivalent program.
Exam	Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) by AAMA, Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) by AMT, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) by NHA, or National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) by NCCT
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Notes	New Jersey does not issue a state license for Medical Assistants. However, state law mandates that a medical assistant must be certified by a recognized certifying board approved by the NJ Board of Medical Examiners to practice. Employers generally prefer or require certification. Minimum age is typically 18 for program enrollment. A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in a medical assistant program.

Source: New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners

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 are the steps to becoming a medical assistant in New Jersey? expand_more

New Jersey requires medical assistants to complete the required education (Completion of a medical assistant program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, or an equivalent program.), and pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) by AAMA, Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) by AMT, Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) by NHA, or National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) by NCCT.

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

medical assistants in New Jersey are not required to hold a state license. Note: New Jersey does not issue a state license for Medical Assistants. However, state law mandates that a medical assistant must be certified by a recognized certifying board approved by the NJ Board of Medical Examiners to practice. Employers generally prefer or require certification. Minimum age is typically 18 for program enrollment. A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in a medical assistant program.

How much do medical assistants make in New Jersey? expand_more

In New Jersey, the median pay for medical assistants comes to $46,280/year. That's roughly in line with the $44,200 national median. Wages range from $35,150 (10th percentile) up to $57,470 (90th percentile).

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

The typical timeline in New Jersey is 9-24 months (program dependent). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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