Top 10 highest paid medical assistant specialties
Oct 30, 2025
At FHCA Orlando, we know that medical assistants can grow their careers by specializing in specific clinical areas. While entry-level roles provide a solid foundation, focusing on high-demand specialties can lead to greater responsibilities, recognition, and higher pay. In this guide, we’ll highlight ten of the highest paid medical assistant specialties, what makes them lucrative, and how you can prepare to pursue these paths with us.
Table of Contents
- How specialties impact a medical assistant’s career
- Highest paid medical assistant specialties
- Factors that affect specialty salary
- Steps to specialize as a medical assistant
- Highest paid medical assistant specialties FAQs
- Ready to grow your career in a high-paying specialty?
How specialties impact a medical assistant’s career
Specializing allows you to build expertise in a specific clinical area, which often translates to better job stability and access to competitive salaries.
Benefits of focusing on a clinical area
- Greater responsibility in patient care
- Opportunities to support advanced procedures
- More consistent relationships with healthcare teams and patients
Ways specialization increases earning potential
- Specialized skills are harder to replace
- Certifications in focused areas are highly valued by employers
- Work environments such as surgical centers or private practices often offer higher compensation
Highest paid medical assistant specialties
Choosing a specialty can significantly increase your earning potential. Some areas require advanced technical skills, emotional resilience, or familiarity with specialized procedures, making you highly valuable to employers.
1. Podiatry medical assistant
Medical assistants in podiatry support foot and ankle care, often assisting in wound care, orthopedic casting, and minor surgical procedures. Their ability to manage both preventive and post-operative tasks helps justify an average salary of $44,000 per year, with experienced professionals earning up to $59,000 depending on the region.
2. Ophthalmology medical assistant
These professionals play a hands-on role in diagnostic testing and pre-operative support. Because they often work with sensitive equipment like tonometers and support surgeons in outpatient procedures, many earn close to $50,000 annually, particularly in urban clinics or surgical centers.
3. Fertility medical assistant
In fertility clinics, assistants manage hormone therapy schedules, assist with ultrasounds, and coordinate lab testing. The combination of emotional intelligence and clinical knowledge required in this role contributes to a typical salary of around $45,760 per year.
4. Cardiology medical assistant
They support cardiologists by conducting EKGs, prepping patients for stress tests, and documenting symptoms. Their familiarity with heart-related protocols makes them essential in high-volume practices, with salaries typically ranging from $40,000 to $42,000 annually.
5. Dermatology medical assistant
Dermatology assistants perform tasks like assisting in skin biopsies, managing post-treatment care, and supporting cosmetic procedures. Depending on the setting—especially in private aesthetic practices—compensation may exceed $40,000 a year.
6. Anesthesiology medical assistant
In pain management or surgical centers, these assistants handle pre-op checklists, patient prep, and medication tracking. While salary data for this exact role is limited, estimates suggest that experienced medical assistants in high-complexity environments can earn between $50,000 and $65,000 per year, depending on the region and type of facility.
7. Oncology medical assistant
Medical assistants in oncology play a vital role in supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment. They help coordinate chemotherapy appointments, manage lab reports, prepare infusion rooms, and offer logistical and emotional support. Given the complexity of care and the high level of responsibility, salaries for this specialty tend to be higher. Estimates place the average salary around $85,000 per year, with ranges between $76,000 and $94,000, depending on location, certifications, and years of experience.
8. Emergency medicine medical assistant
In urgent care centers or emergency departments, medical assistants are key to managing rapid workflows. They assist with triage, wound cleaning, basic procedures, and fast-paced documentation. The demanding environment often results in higher-than-average compensation, with salaries averaging around $46,000 per year, and experienced professionals in busy urban facilities potentially earning even more.
9. Plastic surgery medical assistant
These assistants help in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, coordinating surgical prep and patient education. In high-end practices, it’s common to earn well above $45,000 annually.
10. Neurosurgery medical assistant
In one of the most demanding specialties, these MAs prepare patients for imaging, assist with neurological testing, and document complex care plans. With experience, they can earn up to $61,000 per year.
Factors that affect specialty salary
Not all high-paying specialties offer the same salary everywhere. Experience, certifications, and facility type all play a major role. Understanding these variables helps you plan your career path and maximize earning potential.
Certification and experience
Medical assistants who invest in specialized credentials, like phlebotomy, EKG, or billing often see immediate boosts in job opportunities and pay. Employers are willing to offer higher salaries to those who demonstrate readiness for advanced clinical support and minimal supervision.
To make informed decisions early, review the medical assistant education requirements that align with your long-term goals.
Type of facility and city or region
Location plays a key role in salary. Private surgical centers and specialty clinics in urban areas tend to pay more than general practices or rural offices. Cost of living, competition for skilled staff, and patient volume all influence earnings.
As you plan your next step, factor in the medical assistant certification cost to understand the investment tied to higher-earning roles.
Steps to specialize as a medical assistant
Specialization doesn’t always require years of schooling, but it does demand dedication and targeted preparation.
Training and education for each focus area
Many specialties require short certifications or on-the-job training. For example, ophthalmic or podiatric medical assistants may pursue specific certificates or courses in their area of practice.
To explore how a low-cost, accredited program builds this foundation, learn more about the medical assistant career path.
Choosing the right specialty for your goals
Some specialties, like oncology or neurosurgery, demand emotional resilience. Others, like dermatology or fertility, require discretion and attention to detail. Candidates should reflect on their strengths and long-term career goals.
This breakdown of medical assistant career advancement can help future professionals make informed decisions.
Highest paid medical assistant specialties FAQs
How can I choose the right specialty for my career goals?
Start by evaluating your clinical interests, emotional strengths, and preferred work environment. Consider which patient populations or procedures you feel most confident supporting.
Do all specialties offer higher pay from the start?
Some may require experience before salary increases significantly. Specialties often reward longevity and performance.
Are there entry-level roles in high-paying specialties?
Many clinics and specialty practices are open to hiring new graduates, especially those who complete hands-on training and demonstrate readiness to work in high-demand settings.
What skills make you stand out in a specialty?
Strong communication, technical training, attention to detail, and specialty-specific certification can all set candidates apart.
Can I switch specialties as a medical assistant?
Many assistants shift focus after gaining general experience. Your foundation in patient care remains valuable across fields.
Ready to grow your career in a high-paying specialty?
At FHCA Orlando, we give you the training and support to pursue clinical specialties and grow your career.
Start your journey today by visiting the enrollment page, or explore the low-cost medical assistant program that prepares you for long-term success in healthcare.
