4. Medical Assistant — $40K – $55K
Medical assistants split their time between clinical work (vitals, injections, patient intake) and administrative tasks (scheduling, insurance, records). Almost every primary care office has at least one.
Certification (CMA, RMA, or CCMA) is not required in every state but employers strongly prefer certified candidates. Programs run 9 to 15 months and often include an externship.
Averages sit around $40K to $45K, but specialty practices — dermatology, cardiology, orthopedics — pay $50K to $55K. Growth to office manager or clinic supervisor is common after a few years.
