Medical Office Career Pay: Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, Records Specialist to Practice Manager
Doctor’s offices and clinics hire a lot of people without four-year degrees, and several of those roles lead to management. Here is what each paid in May 2025.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phlebotomist | 143,540 | $35,780 | $45,230 | $58,780 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical assistant | 817,870 | $36,050 | $45,690 | $59,310 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Medical records specialist | 194,720 | $37,000 | $51,140 | $81,150 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Health services manager | 597,080 | $73,390 | $123,860 | $224,340 | Bachelor's degree | +24.2% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Clinical support roles
Phlebotomists earn a median of $45,230 and medical assistants $45,690. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says medical assistants typically need a postsecondary certificate, though some enter with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Phlebotomists typically enter with a certificate from a phlebotomy program, and employers may prefer certified candidates.
Records and coding
Medical records specialists earn $51,140. BLS says they typically need a postsecondary certificate, and certification may be required or preferred. This is often the route to remote work in health care.
Into management
Medical and health services managers earn a median of $123,860 and are projected to grow 24.2% from 2025 to 2035, one of the fastest rates in the BLS projections. They typically need a bachelor’s degree plus administrative or clinical work experience.
Where health services managers earn the most
State medians for medical and health services managers vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $164,120 | 33,200 |
| District of Columbia | $155,140 | 2,010 |
| Hawaii | $147,630 | 2,650 |
| New Jersey | $145,650 | 16,900 |
| Washington | $145,290 | 7,490 |
Raise tips for clinic staff
- Cross-train. Medical assistants who also draw blood, code or run the front desk are harder to replace.
- Ask about tuition help for a health administration degree; see the note below on public-service loan forgiveness.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
If you work full time for a nonprofit hospital or health system, federal student loans may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness: the remaining balance on Direct Loans can be forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working for a qualifying employer. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) employers count. The rule is 34 CFR 685.219.