Medical Assistant vs. CNA: Duties, Training, and Career Paths Compared
Choosing the right entry point into healthcare is one of the most important decisions you will make for your future. Two of the most common roles people consider when starting out are Medical Assistant (MA) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
While both roles allow you to help patients and work alongside healthcare professionals, they are very different when it comes to daily responsibilities, work environments, and overall career stability. Understanding these differences will help you decide which path aligns best with your goals.
At a Glance: Key BLS Career Comparisons
At a Glance
- Medical assistants earn $3,430 more at the median ($45,690 vs. $42,260), and top earners make $7,330 more ($59,310 vs. $51,980).
- Medical assistant jobs are projected to grow 13% through 2035 — more than four times the 3% rate for nursing assistants.
- More than half of medical assistants work in physicians’ offices; nursing assistants work mainly in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, where BLS reports one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Medical Assistant
SOC 31-9092 |
Nursing Assistant
SOC 31-1131 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Median annual pay (May 2025) | $45,690 | $42,260 |
| Median hourly pay | $21.97 | $20.13* |
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $36,050 | $33,940 |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $59,310 | $51,980 |
| Projected job growth, 2025–35 | 13% — much faster than average | 3% — about as fast as average |
| New jobs added, 2025–35 | +107,600 | +39,000 |
| Average openings per year | 109,700 | 203,300* |
| Number of jobs, 2025 | 833,900 | 1,505,900 |
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award (e.g., certificate); programs take about 1–2 years and typically include an internship or practicum | State-approved education program plus passing the state competency exam |
| Licensing / certification | Not required in most states; employers may prefer or require certification | Often requires state license or certification; must be on the state registry to work in a nursing home |
| Largest employers | Physicians’ offices (56%), hospitals (17%), outpatient care centers (10%) | Skilled nursing facilities (36%), hospitals (32%), assisted living / retirement communities (11%) |
| Core duties | Clinical and administrative: vital signs, patient histories, assisting with exams, injections (where permitted), lab specimens, scheduling, records, insurance/billing | Basic care and daily living: bathing, dressing, toileting, repositioning and transferring patients, feeding, vital signs |
| Physical demands | Mix of time on feet and at a computer | Strenuous; one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations |
| Typical schedule | Mostly full time; some evening, weekend, or holiday shifts | Nights, weekends, and holidays common in 24/7 facilities; some part time |
* Combined figure for nursing assistants and orderlies; BLS does not publish this value for nursing assistants alone in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Gold-highlighted cells mark where medical assistants have the advantage. Wages are national medians and vary by state, metro area, employer, and experience.
In BLS’s Own Words
Medical Assistants
“The median annual wage for medical assistants was $45,690 in May 2025.” — BLS OOH, Medical Assistants
“Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.” — BLS OOH, Medical Assistants
“Medical assistants typically need postsecondary education, such as a certificate.” — BLS OOH, Medical Assistants
Nursing Assistants
“The median annual wage for nursing assistants was $42,260 in May 2025.” — BLS OOH, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
“Overall employment of nursing assistants and orderlies is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.” — BLS OOH, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
“Nursing assistants and orderlies have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.” — BLS OOH, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies
Daily Duties: What Does the Job Actually Look Like?
The primary difference between a Medical Assistant and a CNA comes down to scope of practice and work environment.
Medical Assistants: Clinical + Administrative Versatility
Medical Assistants are versatile healthcare professionals who handle a mix of clinical tasks and administrative duties. They work primarily in outpatient settings under the direct supervision of physicians or licensed healthcare providers.
- Clinical Duties: Taking vitals, patient intake, performing phlebotomy (drawing blood), running lab tests (urinalysis and blood chemistry), administering EKGs, giving injections, sterilizing instruments, and assisting physicians during examinations and minor procedures.
- Administrative Duties: Managing electronic health records (EHR), scheduling patient appointments, handling insurance verification, basic medical billing and coding, and professional office communication.
CNAs: Direct Hands-On Basic Care
Certified Nursing Assistants focus heavily on direct, basic physical care for patients who need assistance with daily living activities. Their work is largely centered in long-term care environments.
- Primary Duties: Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and mobility; turning or repositioning bedridden patients; taking basic vital signs; and reporting physical changes to nursing staff.
- Scope Limits: CNAs typically do not perform administrative office procedures, phlebotomy, EKG testing, or medical billing.
Core Differences at a Glance
- Work Environment: Medical Assistants work primarily in outpatient medical offices, urgent care centers, specialty practices, and diagnostic labs during regular business hours. CNAs work mainly in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, assisted living, and hospital units on rotating shifts, including nights and weekends.
- Scope of Responsibilities: Medical Assistants combine clinical care (blood draws, EKGs, lab tests) with administrative front-office tasks. CNAs focus specifically on direct physical care, hygiene assistance, and basic patient monitoring.
- Specialty Options: Medical Assistants enjoy broad flexibility across medical specialties such as cardiology, pediatrics, dermatology, urology, and orthopedics. CNA roles remain heavily centered around nursing care and long-term facility support.
Training and Education
When comparing training programs, look at both the time commitment and the depth of skills you will gain.
Certified Nursing Assistant Training
CNA programs are short, basic training courses that usually last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. They focus almost exclusively on personal care skills, safety, and basic patient handling techniques required for nursing home environments.
Medical Assistant Training
Medical Assistant programs provide a broader, comprehensive curriculum that prepares you for both the clinical and business sides of healthcare.
At the Allen School of Health Sciences, our Medical Assistant Training Program is a hybrid model, combining interactive online learning with hands-on training in our clinical classrooms.
The program covers:
- Comprehensive Anatomy & Physiology
- Phlebotomy, Blood Chemistry, and Urinalysis
- EKG Administration and Heart Monitoring
- Patient Safety, Emergency Procedures, & First Aid
- Clinical Office Procedures & Exam Assisting
- Medical Law, Ethics, & Insurance Basics
- Computer Skills, EHR, and Basic Billing & Coding
Best of all, you can graduate in less than a year, putting you on a fast track to a rewarding healthcare career without spending years in school.
Real-World Experience: The Internship Advantage
Classroom learning builds your knowledge base, but hands-on experience builds your confidence.
As part of the Medical Assistant program at the Allen School, every student completes a 275-hour clinical internship in an active healthcare setting before graduation. This allows you to practice taking vitals, drawing blood, running lab work, and assisting providers under professional supervision.
When you graduate from the Allen School, you do not just have a diploma—you have 275 hours of real-world clinical experience to feature directly on your resume.
Work Environments and Career Growth
Where you work affects your daily schedule, stress levels, and long-term satisfaction.
- CNAs are primarily employed in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and home healthcare settings. Because these facilities operate 24/7, CNAs often work overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.
- Medical Assistants work in physician practices, urgent care centers, diagnostic labs, research facilities, and medical specialties such as cardiology, pediatrics, dermatology, urology, orthopedics, and OB/GYN. These facilities generally operate during standard business hours.
Long-Term Career Mobility
Because Medical Assistants master both clinical procedures and office operations, they gain a strong foundational understanding of how healthcare facilities run. This opens doors to advanced roles in clinic management, medical office administration, or further healthcare education. Many Allen School graduates use their Medical Assistant diploma as a launching pad to pursue advanced degrees in nursing and healthcare management.
Why Choose the Allen School of Health Sciences?
Since 1961, the Allen School of Health Sciences has been dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams of working in healthcare. If you decide that becoming a Medical Assistant is the right path for you, we provide the tools, support, and training to help you succeed:
- Convenient Campus Locations: Train at our campuses in Brooklyn, NY and Jamaica (Queens), NY
- Graduate in Less Than a Year: Fast-track your education so you can enter the workforce quickly.
- Hands-On Experience: Graduate with 275 hours of real-world clinical internship experience.
- Career Services Support: Receive dedicated resume building, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. We maintain relationships with leading regional healthcare providers, including Mount Sinai, Northwell Health, and specialized practices across New York and Arizona.
- No Entrance Exam Required
Take Your First Step Toward a Healthcare Career
If you want a versatile, hands-on role in medicine with steady hours and room to grow, becoming a Medical Assistant is a powerful choice.
Talk to an Allen School admissions advisor today to learn more about our Medical Assistant program, flexible schedule options, and how you can start your healthcare journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Medical Assistant higher than a CNA? Medical Assistants and CNAs perform different roles. Medical Assistants receive broader training that includes clinical procedures (like phlebotomy and EKGs) and administrative skills, allowing them to work in medical offices and specialty clinics. CNAs focus primarily on direct physical care for patients in long-term care facilities.
How long does it take to become a Medical Assistant at the Allen School? You can complete the Medical Assistant Training Program at the Allen School of Health Sciences and graduate in less than a year.
Do I need a high score on an entrance exam to apply to the Allen School? No. The Allen School of Health Sciences does not require an entrance exam for admission into our Medical Assistant program.
Where do Allen School Medical Assistant graduates work? Our graduates work in a wide range of settings, including urgent care clinics, primary care centers, specialty practices (dermatology, cardiology, pediatrics), diagnostic labs, and major hospital networks like Mount Sinai and Northwell Health.
Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants. Last modified August 27, 2026. Visited October 15, 2026. bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies. Last modified August 27, 2026. Visited October 15, 2026. bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm
Wage data come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025. Projections come from the BLS Employment Projections program, 2025–35. For comparison, the median annual wage for all U.S. occupations was $50,980 and the average projected growth rate for all occupations is 3%.