RMA Jobs 2026 June: Salary, Career Paths & Where to Find Positions

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RMA Jobs 2026 June: Salary, Career Paths & Where to Find Positions
Rma Jobs at a Glance - RMA - Registered Medical Assistant certification study resource

RMA Salary in 2026

Salary for RMA jobs varies based on geography, work setting, and years of experience. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $42,000 for medical assistants — and RMA-certified professionals typically earn above the median due to demonstrated competency verification. Entry-level positions start around $32,000–$36,000, while experienced RMAs in high-cost states or specialty clinics can exceed $55,000 annually.

When searching for rma jobs, geography is the single largest salary driver. States with high costs of living and physician shortages consistently offer higher compensation. Meanwhile, setting matters too: hospital outpatient departments and specialty practices typically pay 10–15% more than solo physician offices.

Common RMA Job Titles

When searching job boards for RMA job openings, you will encounter multiple titles for essentially the same role. Employers list positions differently based on their HR systems and internal conventions. Knowing these variations ensures you do not miss openings. The most common titles you will see for rma job seekers include:

  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) — the most direct title, often preferred in physician-owned practices
  • Medical Assistant, Certified — used interchangeably for both RMA and CMA holders
  • Clinical Medical Assistant — emphasizes hands-on patient care duties over administrative work
  • Ambulatory Care Medical Assistant — common in large health systems for outpatient clinic roles
  • Medical Office Assistant — leans more administrative but often requires clinical competency
  • Phlebotomy Technician / Clinical Tech — specialty track within the RMA skill set
  • Care Coordinator / Medical Assistant II — senior titles at large healthcare systems

Always search all variations when using job boards — a single employer may post the same role under three different titles depending on the department.

Top Employers for RMA Jobs

The majority of jobs RMA candidates find are concentrated in a few high-volume healthcare settings. According to BLS occupational employment statistics, 62% of all medical assistants work in physician offices, with the remainder split across hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other settings. Large healthcare systems that consistently post high volumes of jobs rma candidates can target include:

Employer Type Avg. Posted Salary
Kaiser Permanente Integrated Health System $48,000–$62,000
HCA Healthcare Hospital System $38,000–$50,000
CommonSpirit Health Nonprofit Health System $36,000–$48,000
Concentra Urgent Care Urgent Care Chain $35,000–$44,000
ChenMed Primary Care Group $38,000–$47,000
Local Physician Offices Private Practice $32,000–$42,000
Rma Salary Ranges by Experience - RMA - Registered Medical Assistant certification study resource

RMA Jobs by State: Salary & Demand

Geographic location is the strongest predictor of RMA career compensation. States with the highest concentrations of medical practices and the highest costs of living pay significantly more for certified medical assistants. The following states consistently rank at the top for both RMA job volume and salary — explore rma careers in these markets if you are considering relocation:

  • California — Median $50,000+; highest demand in LA, Bay Area, San Diego
  • Washington — Median $49,000; strong demand in Seattle metro and Spokane
  • Massachusetts — Median $47,500; Boston medical corridor, academic medical centers
  • Alaska — Median $48,000; high pay due to cost of living and rural healthcare demand
  • Connecticut — Median $46,500; dense physician practice network in Fairfield and Hartford counties
  • New York — Median $46,000; NYC metro commands premium; statewide rural shortages
  • New Jersey — Median $45,500; high physician practice density in northern NJ corridor
  • Minnesota — Median $44,000; Mayo Clinic ecosystem, strong union benefits

Lower-cost states (Texas, Florida, Georgia) typically post more openings volume-wise but at lower base salaries ($33,000–$40,000). Total compensation including benefits often closes the gap in states with strong healthcare benefit packages.

How to Find RMA Jobs in 2026

The job search strategy for Registered Medical Assistant positions has shifted significantly toward digital-first methods. Here is a structured approach to maximize your chances of landing quality RMA jobs:

RMA Job Search Checklist

  • Verify your AMT RMA credential is active and renewal is current
  • Upload your RMA certificate to your LinkedIn profile's Licenses & Certifications section
  • Create profiles on Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and Glassdoor — upload the same resume to all four
  • Set job alerts for 'Registered Medical Assistant', 'RMA', 'Medical Assistant Certified' within 25 miles
  • Search hospital career portals directly: Kaiser, HCA, Ascension, CommonSpirit, Dignity Health
  • Contact your AMT chapter for local networking events and referrals
  • Prepare a clinical skills summary: list EMR systems (Epic, Athenahealth), phlebotomy, EKG, injections
  • Request LinkedIn recommendations from clinical supervisors or externship preceptors
  • Apply to 10–15 positions per week — MA hiring is high volume, so application volume matters
  • Follow up with a brief thank-you email within 24 hours of each interview

RMA Career Paths & Advancement

An RMA credential is not just an entry point — it is a foundation for multiple advancement tracks within healthcare. Professionals who start in RMA jobs often use the credential as a launch pad for specialized roles with higher compensation and greater clinical responsibility.

For more details, see our RMA vs CMA 2026: Which Medical Assistant Certification is Better? guide. For more details, see our RMA Certification 2026: Requirements, Exam & How to Get Certified guide. For more details, see our RMA Certification Guide: Registered Medical Assistant Exam Prep guide. For more details, see our RMA - Registered Medical Assistant: Career Paths, Salary, and Requirements 2026 guide. For more details, see our 30-Day RMA Study Plan — Pass on Your First Try guide. For more details, see our RMA Certification 2025: Registered Medical Assistant Complete Guide guide. For more details, see our What is an RMA? Registered Medical Assistant Guide 2026 guide.
How to Find Rma Jobs in 2026 - RMA - Registered Medical Assistant certification study resource

RMA Career Advancement Options

  • Phlebotomy Technician — additional certification, avg. $38,000–$45,000
  • EKG/Cardiac Technician — cardiology practices, avg. $40,000–$50,000
  • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) — associate degree + ASCP cert, avg. $52,000
  • Surgical Technician — additional training, OR/surgical center roles, avg. $55,000
  • Ophthalmic Medical Assistant — specialty track, ophthalmology offices, avg. $42,000–$52,000

Pros & Cons of RMA Jobs

Weighing the benefits and challenges of a Registered Medical Assistant career before committing.

Pros
  • +Fast entry into healthcare — programs take 9–24 months vs. 4 years for nursing
  • +Strong job security — 15% BLS projected growth through 2032
  • +Variety of duties — clinical and administrative work prevents monotony
  • +Clear advancement pathways to nursing, PA, or management roles
  • +AMT certification recognized in all 50 states — geographic flexibility
  • +Meaningful patient interaction and direct impact on care quality
Cons
  • Median salary ($42,000) is lower than many other healthcare roles
  • Physical demands — long shifts on your feet, exposure to illness
  • Scope of practice varies by state — some states have stricter task limitations
  • May require 3-year credential renewal with continuing education costs
  • Emotionally demanding — exposure to illness, end-of-life situations, patient stress

RMA Jobs Questions and Answers

More RMA Resources

About the Author

Thomas WrightRS, HACCP Certified, BS Food Science

Registered Sanitarian & Food Safety Certification Expert

Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Thomas Wright is a Registered Sanitarian and HACCP-certified food safety professional with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Cornell University. He has 17 years of experience in food safety auditing, regulatory compliance, and foodservice management training. Thomas prepares food industry professionals for ServSafe Manager, HACCP certification, and state food handler examinations.

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