Certified Nursing Assistant vs. Medical Assistant
The short answer
CNAs usually work in nursing homes and hospitals and must be on the state registry; medical assistants usually work in clinics and physician offices, and most states don't require certification.
CNAMA
- What they do
- Nursing assistants give patients basic care and help them with everyday activities like bathing, eating and moving around.Medical assistants handle both office and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients' vital signs.
- Typical entry-level education (BLS)
- Postsecondary nondegree awardPostsecondary nondegree award
- Programs
- CNA (nurse aide) training programsMedical assisting programs
- Licensing
- Passing the exam puts you on your state's registry, which you need to work in a nursing home. Titles and rules vary by state.Most states don't require certification, but some set rules, and many employers prefer certified medical assistants.
- Licensing exam
- Set by your stateSet by your state
- U.S. median pay
- $20.32/hr ($42,260/yr)$21.97/hr ($45,690/yr)
- Projected growth, 2025–35
- +2.6%+12.9%
- Openings per year
- 196,200109,700
- Interstate compact
- NoneNone
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Certified Nursing Assistant, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical Assistant, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.