Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Also called: Medical Secretaries
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
Also called: Administrative Support Specialist, Appointment Scheduler, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMMA), Client Service Coordinator, Clinic Office Assistant, Clinic Receptionist
Median pay
$45,930
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,930 – $60,530
People employed
961,610
Holland code
CSE
Conventional · Social · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 8.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in every state →
What medical secretaries and administrative assistants do
- 01Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
- 02Transcribe recorded messages or practitioners' diagnoses or recommendations into patients' medical records.
- 03Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.
- 04Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
- 05Complete insurance or other claim forms.
- 06Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Personnel and Human Resources
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from medical secretaries and administrative assistants
- Office Clerks, General89% · −2%
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks87% · +7%
- Receptionists and Information Clerks87% · −17%
- Customer Service Representatives86% · −3%
- Medical Records Specialists84% · +11%
Change into medical secretaries and administrative assistants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Receptionists and Information Clerks92% · $38,010
- Office Clerks, General89% · $45,010
- Medical Records Specialists86% · $51,140
- Pharmacy Aides86% · $37,680
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan85% · $45,920
Majors that lead here
- Veterinary Administrative Services, General
- Veterinary Administrative/Executive Assistant and Veterinary Secretary
- Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
- Medical/Health Management and Clinical Assistant/Specialist
- Medical Reception/Receptionist
- Medical Insurance Specialist/Medical Biller
- Medical Administrative/Executive Assistant and Medical Secretary
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.