Where AI can help
AI can support forms, reminders and organization of non-sensitive information.
Health · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Medical Assistants
Support clinical visits and clinic operations, combining patient contact, records and clinical tasks under direction.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+12.9%2025–2035
Education typically neededPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Prepare rooms and instruments for visits
- 02
Record basic information and histories
- 03
Support procedures and collect measurements
- 04
Schedule visits and guide patients
- 05
Update records and route results
An example of an output
A prepared visit with complete records, accurate measurements and routed instructions.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Medical offices, clinics and outpatient settings. The routine moves between patient care, preparation and administration.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$46,120
Median annual pay$45,690
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$36,050
90th percentile$59,310
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025833,900
Projected openings per year109,700
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Consent, human contact, warning signs and privacy require professional attention.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Design a reception and visit flow for a fictional clinic, including confirmation and privacy checkpoints.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Organizationpatient communicationsafetyaccurate records
Tools you may encounter
Electronic health records · vital-sign equipment · scheduling · clinical protocols
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$74,970 Mean annual pay
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars ↗
Working with records and clinic flow can support a move into health information quality and systems.
- What you can carry over
- Records, processes and privacy
- What you would need to learn
- Data analysis, classification and system design
What to consider
Familiarity with a medical record does not replace technical preparation for information governance.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Design a reception and visit flow for a fictional clinic, including confirmation and privacy checkpoints.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Medical AssistantsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 31-9092.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗