Medical Assistant vs. CNA: Job Duties, Wages, and More

Are you considering a career in healthcare and wondering, “Is a medical assistant the same as a CNA?” The answer is no. Since nursing assistants must generally pass a competency exam to obtain licensure,¹ (upon meeting eligibility criteria to sit for certification exams) they are often referred to as CNAs (certified nursing assistants) for short. So, read on as we compare medical assistants and nursing assistants or CNAs on several factors — including job duties, skill sets, median wages, and more — to help you decide if one may be suited for your interests and healthcare career goals.

A Brief Overview of Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant Roles

To get started, let’s talk briefly about what a medical assistant and nursing assistant are.

• What is a medical assistant? A medical assistant can perform basic clinical tasks, such as taking and recording a patient’s vital signs or drawing blood. They are also trained to handle general office duties, like scheduling patient appointments.
• What is a nursing assistant? A nursing assistant, sometimes referred to as a nursing aide, can provide basic patient care. They also assist with daily activities such as helping patients bathe or move from a bed to a wheelchair.

Job Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant vs. CNA

There is some overlap in what a medical assistant does and a CNA’s job duties. For example, both can measure patients’ vital signs (i.e., take their blood pressure, temperature, and body weight). However, there are also some differences.

While exact job responsibilities can vary by employer and state, here is a list of general duties for each:

In short, a medical assistant can perform clinical functions (help with exams and collect blood for testing) and/or administrative duties (appointment scheduling). A nursing assistant typically provides basic patient care and helps with activities of daily living (hygiene, eating, and mobility).

Differences in Medical Assistant and CNA Work Settings

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a majority of medical assistants work in doctors’ offices.² These healthcare professionals can also be found in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and offices of other healthcare providers.

CNA jobs, conversely, are primarily located in nursing care facilities and hospitals as the BLS indicates this is where a majority of nursing assistants are employed.³ A smaller number can be found in assisted living facilities or home healthcare.

CNA vs. Medical Assistant Soft Skill Sets

Learning the technical skills required to work as a medical assistant or CNA is important when pursuing these roles. Having certain soft skills or personal qualities that affect how you work can be beneficial, too.

Compassion is one such soft skill to consider. Patients may be facing major health issues and struggling with their diagnosis or they might be in pain, causing them to be short or lash out. Being compassionate enables you to empathize with them, also letting them know that you genuinely want to help.⁴

Being a good communicator is another soft skill beneficial for both CNAs and medical assistants. If you’re relaying important health information, you must be able to communicate it clearly and effectively.

Helping patients with activities of daily living can be both stressful and physically demanding, so additional nursing assistant skills that are beneficial include patience and physical stamina.⁵ Additional soft skills that are helpful when working as a medical assistant include being analytical, having an attention to detail, and strong interpersonal skills.⁶

Nursing Assistant Pay vs. Medical Assistant Wages

Pay for any job role can vary depending on several factors, such as where you work geographically, your level of education and experience, relevant certifications/licensure, and more. That said, the BLS shares some information on the general wage ranges of each of these roles.

As of May 2023, the median pay for medical assistants was $42,000 per year according to the BLS. ⁷ While the highest 10% of earners had wages over $56,480 per year, the lowest decile of workers earned less than $33,500 annually, which may more closely reflect those with entry-level experience.

The median pay for nursing assistants as of May 2023 was $38,200 per year according to BLS data, with the highest 10% of earners making more than $48,780 annually and the lowest 10% earning less than $30,020 per year⁸ — again, the latter being more reflective of individuals with entry-level experience.

Job Outlook for Medical Assistant and NA Roles

The BLS projects that healthcare occupations will grow “much faster than average” from 2023 to 2033, with roughly 1.9 million openings expected per year, on average.⁹ What’s the job outlook for medical assistants and nursing assistants specifically?

Medical assistant employment is projected to grow 15% from 2023 to 2033 according to the BLS, with about 119,800 openings per year during this time, on average.¹¹ Nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 4% during this same period, with approximately 216,200 nursing assistant and orderly positions expected per year, on average.

One of the reasons cited for the growth of both medical and nursing assistant positions is an aging population, which generally have more healthcare concerns.

Medical Assistant vs. Nursing Assistant: Education, Training, and Certifications

There are a few differences in the education and training required for these two healthcare roles.

How to Become a Medical Assistant

The BLS indicates that there are two general educational paths a person can take to become a medical assistant. The most typical path is by completing a postsecondary program (which often takes 1-2 years to complete), though some enter this role with a high school diploma and on-the-job training.⁶

How to Become a Nursing Assistant

To become a nursing assistant, you must typically complete a state-approved program and pass a competency exam to obtain licensure*, according to the BLS.⁵ Additionally, a nursing assistant program generally includes both instruction and supervised clinical work.

*Learners must meet eligibility criteria to sit for applicable certification exams.

Still Unsure Which Career Path to Pursue?

If you want to work in healthcare but still can’t decide between becoming a medical assistant or nursing assistant, our short (and fun!) Healthcare Career Quiz may help. Answer a few questions and learn which UMA healthcare programs could be a fit.

You can also contact us to talk about your interests and options. Our professional and caring team members can share more about our medical assistant and nursing assistant programs, which may help you decide.

If You’re Ready to Take the Next Steps, UMA Is Here for You!

If you feel drawn to either the medical assistant or NA role, UMA has programs for each. We offer two medical assistant programs: a Medical Assistant diploma program that can be completed in 15 months or more¹² and a Health Sciences – Medical Assistant Associate of Science degree program that can be completed in 21 months or more.¹² We also offer a Nursing Assistant diploma program that can be completed in 2 months or more.¹²

Why choose UMA? We place a strong emphasis on student support, not just during your educational journey but also past graduation. Our Career Services team can help you during your job search, potentially even connecting you with one of our employer partners who prefer to hire UMA grads.

At UMA, we put our learners first. Let us know what you need to reach your healthcare career goals and we’ll help in any way we can! Contact us to learn more or to enroll in your program of choice.