Georgia pays medical assistants $36,280 median — 18% below the national average — but five CAAHEP-accredited programs keep training costs under $8,000. The 26,800 medical assistants working statewide face less competition for entry-level positions than in higher-paying markets like California or New York.
Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Georgia
Georgia · Training Path
How to Become a Medical Assistant in Georgia
Five technical colleges across Georgia offer CAAHEP-accredited programs, from $1,391 at Southern Regional Technical College to $7,091 at Augusta Technical College.
- 1
Medical Assistant Certificate Program
education9 months · $12,000-$18,000
Complete a postsecondary certificate program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, including classroom instruction and a mandatory supervised clinical externship in an ambulatory healthcare setting.
- 2
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Exam
training licensing1 month · $125
Pass the CMA (AAMA) national certification exam. Certification is highly preferred by employers and demonstrates competency in clinical and administrative medical assisting skills.
- 3
Medical Assistant - Entry Level
career2 years ·
Work as a certified medical assistant in ambulatory healthcare settings, performing both clinical duties (vital signs, patient preparation, assisting with exams) and administrative tasks (scheduling, medical records, billing).
Accredited Programs · Georgia
Accredited Medical Assistant Programs in Georgia
Accreditation matters because Georgia's licensing board typically only recognizes graduates from programs vetted by a national body. The programs below hold active accreditation and are in good standing as of the last verification date.
5 of ~undefined accredited programs in Georgia
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta | Certificate | 1 yr | $3,252–$5,652 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| Albany Technical College Albany | Certificate | 1y 3mo | $5,429–$7,000 | CAAHEP |
| Augusta Technical College Augusta | Certificate | 1y 6mo | $4,806–$7,091 | CAAHEP |
| Columbus Technical College Columbus | Certificate | 1 yr | $2,400–$4,800 | CAAHEP |
| Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville | Certificate | 1 yr | $1,391–$2,216 | CAAHEP |
Loading programs...
Last verified 2026-04-05. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
Georgia · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in Georgia
Georgia regulates this career through the credentials below. The “issuing body” is the organization that awards and renews the credential — some are national associations, others are Georgia's own licensing authority.
| Credential | Issuing Body | Type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) (AAMA) | American Association of Medical Assistants | certification | voluntary |
| RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) (AMT (American Medical Technologists)) | American Medical Technologists | certification | alternative |
Georgia · BLS OEWS 2024
Medical Assistant Salary in Georgia
With program costs under $8,000 and median pay at $36,280, the math favors quick entry over waiting for higher-paying alternatives.
10th
$36,275
25th
$39,000
Median
$36,280
75th
$46,197
90th
$48,963
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 26,800 employed in Georgia
HealthJob Analysis · Georgia
Is It Worth It? ROI in Georgia
Year 2
Break-even
$867k
20-year net
$15k
Education cost
20-year net earnings = cumulative income minus education cost and the years you weren't earning.
Assumes Georgia median salary of $36,280, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · Georgia
AI & Automation for Medical Assistants in Georgia
In Georgia, health systems like Piedmont Healthcare and Augusta University Health are piloting ambient documentation tools, but these enhance physician workflow rather than replacing medical assistant duties.
Tasks that are changing
- AI handles major parts
- AI augments
- AI assists
- Human-only
Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
Schedule appointments for patients.
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
Physical measurements require manual tools; no deployed AI or robots handle vitals broadly across multiple sites.
Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
Manual physical task; no deployed robots at multiple sites for room prep or cleaning.
Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
Requires physical guidance; no broad AI or robot deployment for escorting patients.
AI products in use today
- DAX Copilot — Nuance/Microsoftsource
- Abridge — Abridge
- Envoy Visitors — Envoy
- Smith.ai — Smith.ai
- Ringg AI Voice Agent — Ringg
Georgia · Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do medical assistants make in Georgia?
- Medical assistants in Georgia earn $36,280 median, which is 18% below the national average. The 10th percentile earns $36,275 while the 90th percentile reaches $48,963, showing limited salary growth potential compared to other states.
- Do I need a license to work as a medical assistant in Georgia?
- No, Georgia does not require a license for medical assistants. However, most employers prefer certification through AAMA (CMA) or AMT (RMA), and certified workers typically earn 15-20% more than uncertified staff.
- How long does medical assistant training take in Georgia?
- Medical assistant programs in Georgia take 12-18 months at technical colleges. Chattahoochee Technical College offers the shortest program at 12 months, while Augusta Technical College requires 18 months for completion.
- What's the cheapest medical assistant program in Georgia?
- Southern Regional Technical College in Thomasville offers the lowest-cost program at $1,391-$2,216 for in-state students. The 12-month CAAHEP-accredited program includes both clinical and administrative training components.
- Are medical assistant jobs growing in Georgia?
- Yes, medical assistant employment is growing 14.8% nationally, much faster than average. Georgia's aging population and expansion of outpatient clinics drive steady demand for the state's 26,800 medical assistants.
Sources & Data
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •O*NET OnLine
- •AAMA
- •AMT
- •HealthJob AI Impact Analysis
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Medical Assistants
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS State Data — Georgia
Data last refreshed: April 2026