In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
It’s definitely intriguing that Michigan ranks #8 for highest employment of medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), especially when compared to bigger or more densely populated states such as California, Florida, Texas and New York.
Here are some key reasons why Michigan might rank so high:
- Michigan is home to some massive healthcare providers, and these systems operate dozens of hospitals and clinics across the state, requiring a high volume of medical assistants for outpatient care, admin support and patient coordination.
- According to Census data, around 18% of Michigan’s population is 65 or older and older adults generally require more frequent healthcare services, increasing demand for medical assistants in primary care and specialty clinics.
- Michigan offers a lower cost of living than states like California, New York or Massachusetts. This allows healthcare providers to hire more support staff like medical assistants without high wage inflation.
- Michigan has many accredited MA training programs at community colleges and vocational schools, which ensures a steady supply of certified medical assistants entering the workforce.
- Michigan has a diverse geography, with urban hubs such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Ann Arbor and large rural regions that rely heavily on medical assistants in clinics where physicians may rotate in. Medical assistants thereby play a broader role in rural and underserved areas, increasing their demand.
Overview: Medical assistants in Michigan
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 23,620 medical assistants in Michigan, making it the eighth highest state for employment. The median hourly wage is $19 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade at the national level is 12.5%.
Here are five of the largest and most notable employers of medical assistants in Michigan. These organizations span urban, suburban and regional areas and rely heavily on MAs for a wide range of clinical and administrative functions.
- Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)–Grand Rapids, with locations across West Michigan and now statewide after merging with Beaumont:
- Corewell integrates MAs into primary care teams, specialty practices such as cardiology and endocrinology and urgent care centers. MAs handle rooming patients, taking vitals, updating EHRs (Epic), performing injections and admin support like scheduling and prior authorizations.
- Henry Ford Health System–Detroit, with hospitals and medical centers throughout Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:
- MAs are crucial in multi-specialty group practices, supporting physicians in family medicine, OB/GYN, dermatology and more. Many Henry Ford clinics use MAs for clinical workflows, telehealth assistance and population health outreach.
- Beaumont Health (Part of Corewell Health East)–Royal Oak, with locations in Troy, Dearborn, Grosse Pointe and Farmington Hills:
- Beaumont uses medical assistants in ambulatory settings, such as outpatient clinics and urgent care. MAs often do phlebotomy, EKGs, wound care prep and more in internal medicine and pediatric clinics.
- Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan Health System)–Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Brighton and other Southeast Michigan suburbs:
- MAs are part of team-based care models, especially in primary care and chronic disease clinics such as diabetes and cardiology. They are often trained in EPIC workflows, patient intake, assisting with minor procedures and prepping patients for residents/fellows.
- McLaren Health Care–Grand Blanc, with hospitals and outpatient clinics throughout Flint, Bay City, Lansing, Port Huron and Northern Michigan:
- Medical assistants are critical in rural and mid-size market clinics where they are often used in multi-specialty practices, diagnostic centers and occupational health.
Michigan medical assistant salary quick stats
Medical assistants earned a median salary of $44,200 at the national level in 2024, said the BLS. Actual pay can fluctuate significantly based on factors such as location of workplace, your years of experience, earned professional certifications and level of education pursued.
Median salary for medical assistants in Michigan
Medical assistant salaries in Michigan are competitive regionally but lower than in high-cost states—making it likely to employ more of them. Too, medical assistants in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula generally earn higher wages than those in the Upper Peninsula. This is largely due to differences in cost of living, healthcare infrastructure and demand for services. here’s an example of pay disparity between the two areas:
| Area | Hourly pay (BLS) | Average annual pay (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Peninsula (Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids) | $18–$22 | $37,000–$45,000 |
| Upper Peninsula (Marquette, Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie) | $16–$18 | $33,000–$37,000 |
These are broad estimates from BLS regional data and MichiganWorks postings as of 2024. Actual wages vary by employer, experience and certification attained.
Here are median annual salaries from the BLS, with wages pinpointed to top-paying metro areas in the state:
Medical Assistants
10%$35,090
25%$36,740
50%$38,840Median
75%$45,180
90%$47,280
Median Hourly Wage$19
Job growth12.5%
Total Employment23,620
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $42,250 | $35,220 | $51,750 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $41,550 | $35,440 | $47,590 |
| Traverse City, MI | $40,500 | $36,160 | $46,530 |
| Saginaw, MI | $40,160 | $33,990 | $44,540 |
| Niles, MI | $39,940 | $35,440 | $47,520 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $39,750 | $37,810 | $48,440 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $39,050 | $33,650 | $46,240 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $38,830 | $37,180 | $47,070 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $38,370 | $35,540 | $47,240 |
| Midland, MI | $38,240 | $35,810 | $40,830 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary range for MAs in Michigan
Within the state of Michigan, medical assistants can expect to earn anywhere between $35,090 and $47,280 annually. This salary range encompasses entry-level positions all the way up to management roles, and takes into account factors such as employment status, education level and length of time in the position. In the state of Michigan it especially considers location. Here’s a brief overview:
Why the Lower Peninsula pays more
- Larger health systems are concentrated in the LP and tend to pay more.
- Urban cost of living in cities like Ann Arbor or Detroit drives higher wages.
- Greater competition among healthcare providers leads to more competitive compensation and benefits.
Why the Upper Peninsula pays less, but has other perks
- Fewer hospitals and smaller clinics dominate—many are part of critical access hospitals or rural health centers.
- Lower overall cost of living and less competition among employers.
- MAs in the UP may be given broader responsibilities in rural settings, but that doesn’t always translate to higher pay.
Employment by metro area
Michigan’s two-peninsula geography doesn’t directly make the job more accessible to medical assistants, but it does lead to more distributed healthcare services, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, where medical assistants are crucial in filling primary care roles. This contributes to Michigan’s high employment numbers for the role, even though the population is lower than some coastal or southern states.
Here’s what the BLS reports as the highest employment numbers for the top 10 cities in the U.S. Just outside of the top 10 is Michigan’s Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metro area, which ranks at #14 in the U.S. for highest employment.
Michigan MA job outlook and growth
With a job growth rate of 12.5% nationally through 2034 for medical assistants, Michigan is right at the national statistic, said O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS. They reported that Michigan medical assistant job growth rate rested at 13% through 2030, just under the national average, and the state will employ an additional 3,660 medical assistants in that same timeframe.
Factors that impact medical assistant pay
The salary a medical assistant earns in Michigan may vary quite a bit depending on multiple factors. The top three key factors that influence wages in the state are:
Location:
Metro areas such as Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids may pay significantly more than rural areas, particularly the Upper Peninsula.
Certification and experience:
Certified MAs—CMA, RMA and CCMA—may earn more than non-certified peers. Having experience with specialty clinics such as cardiology, dermatology or OB/GYN, or experience with EMR systems like EPIC may also boost earning potential.
Employer type and healthcare system size:
Large health systems like Corewell Health, Michigan Medicine or Henry Ford may offer higher base wages, better benefits and promotion potential. Smaller private practices or rural clinics may offer lower wages but sometimes better work-life balance or broader experience.
Unionization:
Most MAs in hospital systems are not unionized, although some MAs working in academic or public health systems, such as Michigan Medicine or county-run clinics may be represented by unions such as SEIU or AFSCME. Unionized roles typically come with stronger wage floors, grievance protections and clear pay steps.
Why is Michigan a good state to be a medical assistant?
One of the best reasons to become a medical assistant in Michigan is the opportunity to build a stable, rewarding healthcare career within some of the most advanced and accessible health systems in the Midwest without needing a four-year degree.
Why this stands out in Michigan specifically:
- In a state where cost of living is moderate but healthcare is strong, this career offers an excellent balance of purpose, stability and upward mobility.
- Michigan offers extensive, statewide access to top-tier health systems, meaning you can find good jobs close to home, whether in urban centers or rural communities.
- You can enter the field quickly (often in under a year) and still work alongside leading physicians, specialists and care teams—gaining experience that may springboard into nursing, administration or healthcare technology and informatics roles.
Michigan’s MA education path
To become a medical assistant in Michigan, the education path is relatively short and flexible, which is one of the reasons it’s a popular entry-level healthcare career. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to get there:
Earn a high school diploma or GED
- You must have a high school diploma or GED to enter any MA training program in Michigan.
- Recommended high school subjects: biology, health sciences, computer applications.
Complete a medical assistant education program
- Choose a program that is accredited by either CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) or ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools)
Program options in Michigan
- Community colleges such as Grand Rapids Community College, Henry Ford College and Lansing Community College
- Technical/vocational schools such as Dorsey College and Ross Medical Education Center
- Online program from any accredited college or university offering the program
Program duration
- A certificate or diploma program takes 9–12 months
- An associate degree (AAS) program takes 18–24 months
Complete an clinical externship
- Most programs include a 160–200 hour clinical externship at a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic
- This is essential to gain hands-on experience and meet certification exam requirements
Optional but recommended: Earn national certification
Michigan does not legally require certification, but most major employers prefer or require it.
Most common national certifications:
| Certification | Certifying body | Exam requirement |
|---|---|---|
| CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) | AAMA | Must graduate from a CAAHEP or ABHES program |
| RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) | AMT | Education or experience path available |
| CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) | NHA | Widely accepted, flexible |
| NCMA (National Certified MA) | NCCT | Another recognized option |
Renew certification and stay current
Certifications typically require renewal every one to three years, with continuing education (CEUs) required.
State salary guides for medical assistants
Trying to figure out where to begin or further your medical assistant career? Salary may be a consideration when choosing where to practice your allied healthcare career, so doing your research is important. Here are salary guides for some popular states:
Cost of living in Michigan
Michigan offers a relatively low cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to live and work—especially for entry-level healthcare professionals like medical assistants. In the Cost of Living Index, Michigan scores around 90.4 on the national index (where 100 = U.S. average), meaning it’s 9–10% cheaper than average. The Upper Peninsula and smaller towns have significantly lower housing costs but fewer job options, while Ann Arbor and metro Detroit are exceptions—they are slightly above average in housing due to higher demand.
MI medical assistant associations
Michigan has professional organizations and local chapters that medical assistants can join, and these groups may offer networking, continuing education, certification support and employment leads. Here are a couple of notable groups:
Michigan Society of Medical Assistants (MSMA):
MSMA caters primarily to CMAs certified through the AAMA, but is open to students and other certified MAs. There are also local metro chapters across the state.
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)–Michigan Members:
There is no formal Michigan-specific chapter, but NHA offers CEUs and career resources online and has employer partnerships with Michigan health systems such as Corewell and McLaren.