Medical Assistant vs. CNA: Explore Key Career Differences

Medical assisting is one of the most commonly chosen career paths in the industry, but nursing assisting is also a great and fulfilling profession that students might choose to jump-start their future.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has gathered all the data to differentiate medical assistants from certified nursing assistants.

Therefore, this medical assistant vs. CNA guide will unravel the differences, similarities, and responsibilities of both professions so you can choose a single career path to follow. 

Medical Assistant vs. Certified Nursing Assistant: Overview

A certified medical assistant (CMA)is a healthcare professional suited to work under the direct supervision of a physician and other professionals in the industry.

Medical assistants can work in medical facilities performing healthcare-related duties, but they can also perform administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and recording patient histories.

On the other hand, CNAs, or certified nursing assistants (also called nursing aides), are healthcare professionals primarily focused on direct patient care and other tasks in the healthcare field. They commonly work under the supervision of nurses.

Medical Assistant vs. Nursing Assistant: Tasks and Responsibilities

The BLS says that nursing assistants mainly work under the supervision of registered nurses or licensed vocational (or practical) nurses.

Overall, CNAs perform basic care for patients in an array of settings. 

The duties and scope of responsibility of a nursing aide vary depending on their work environments and job requirements, but, in general, their roles are hands-on and focus on helping patients with activities of daily living (ADLs).

The duties and responsibilities of CNAs may include:

• Assisting the bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing
• Repositioning in bed and transferring in and out of wheelchairs
• Helping with ambulation and the use of assistive devices
• Recording vital signs and urine output
• Assisting with meals and documenting intake

On the contrary, the medical assistant career can take two different paths: administrative or clinical medical assistant, depending on the work environment.

Some medical assistants work closely to assist doctors in healthcare-related tasks, whereas others mainly focus on administrative duties.

The duties and responsibilities of medical assistants may include the following:

• Preparing patient rooms for examinations and procedures
• Measuring vital signs
• Collecting laboratory specimens
• Administer medications depending on state laws and work setting
• Assist the physician during patient exams
• Record patient medical histories
• Answer phones and schedule appointments
• File patient records and update insurance information

The following table shows you a summary of the main duties and responsibilities of both CNAs and CMAs.

Medical Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Work Environment

The work environment of medical assistant roles mainly concentrates on the offices of physicians. But where can medical assistants work? In 2021, there were over 743,000 medical assistant jobs in the United States - these are the most relevant statistics regarding CMA’s work environments by the BLS:

1. Most medical assistants work regular 40-hour workweeks. They are often not required to be available during weekends or holidays, but it depends on their work environment.
2. More than half (58 percent) of medical assistants work in physicians' offices.
3. Around 15 percent of medical assistants work in hospitals (private, public, and state hospitals).
4. 9 percent of CMAs work in outpatient care centers, and only 4 percent of MAs work in the offices of chiropractors.

BLS Statistics show that in 2021, there were over 1.3 million nursing assistant jobs in the United States. That’s almost 75% more jobs than CMAs, which shows us how big the job market is for nursing assistants. 

But where do certified nursing assistants work? The statistics around their work environments are the following:

1. 34 percent of nursing assistants work in nursing care facilities.
2. 32 percent of nursing assistants work in private, public, or state hospitals / healthcare facilities.
3. 10 percent of CNAs work in nursing homes or assisted living facilities for the elderly, whereas only 6 percent of CNAs work in home healthcare services. 
4. Nursing assistants are required to be available as demanded by their work environments. For example, some residential care facilities might require CNAs to be available during holidays or weekends, whereas certain nursing facilities are more flexible based on required tasks.
5. The demanding tasks that nursing assistants often perform make them prone to injuries. In fact, CNAs have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all health care careers. 

Industries with the Highest Levels of Employment for Medical and Nursing Assistants

Since medical assistants provide assistance in both administrative and medical-related duties, their employment industries are more varied than the ones for nursing assistants.

However, as mentioned above, there are more jobs and positions for nursing assistants in the United States. These are the industries with the highest levels of employment for both the nursing assistant field and the medical assistant field, according to the statistics provided by the BLS.

Medical Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Work Environment

While medical assistants may work in various health care settings, most work in physician offices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides further information on the environments and schedules of medical assistants:

• Most medical assistants work regular 40-hour workweeks. They are often not required to be available during weekends or holidays, depending on their work environment.
• More than half (58 percent) of medical assistants work in physicians' offices.
• Around 15 percent of medical assistants work in hospitals (private, public, and state hospitals).
• 9 percent of CMAs work in outpatient care centers, and only 4 percent of MAs work in chiropractors' offices.

According to the BLS, there are 1.4 million nursing assistants in the United States, almost double that of medical assistants.  The BLS breaks down the work environments and schedules of CNAS:

• 33 percent of nursing assistants work in skilled nursing facilities.
• 33 percent of nursing assistants work in hospitals
• 10 percent of CNAs work in assisted living facilities 
• 6 percent of CNAs work in home health care. 
• CNAs frequently work weekends and holidays and may work 8-hour or 12-hour shifts.
• The demanding tasks that nursing assistants often perform make them prone to injuries. CNAs have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all health care careers. 

Medical Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Skills

Prior to becoming a medical assistant, aspiring professionals must understand and internalize the valuable qualities and skills to help them perform efficiently in work environments.

Medical assistants should have analytical and technical skills to handle basic clinical instruments and understand medical charts as required by their scope of responsibilities.

Interpersonal and communication skills are also necessary to handle patient matters professionally. The on-the-job training provided by healthcare professionals (such as physicians) is vital for medical assistants to perform their job duties successfully.

Certified nursing assistants should develop more human-focused skills like compassion, patience, and teamwork. 

The demands of direct patient care requirephysical stamina as CNAs are on their feet for long hours, turning, bathing, and transferring patients.

Medical Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants: Education

Medical assistant and CNA training programs can be completed quickly and affordably. Neither career requires a college degree, and interested candidates can begin working in these fields after obtaining a certificate. , 

How to Become a Medical Assistant

Many medical assistants complete programs offered by vocational schools or community colleges in 1 to 2 years. Courses vary and may include skills such as electrocardiography, phlebotomy, pharmacology, and office procedures. 

If the student chooses, they may elect to take additional courses that will allow for the completion of an associate degree.  Programs like these are preferred by employers and may help the student secure better-paying jobs and advance their education to other healthcare roles if interested.

After completing training programs, medical assistants may choose to become certified by the following organizations:

• The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
• The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• The National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• The American Medical Certification Association (AMCA)

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant

To become a certified nursing assistant (CNA), aspirants must complete a state-approved training program that varies based on location. These programs are available in technical schools, nursing homes, community colleges, or on the job. The Red Cross offers a search tool to find nursing assistant programs in your area.

Passing a CNA certification exam is essential to get a state-approved certification. Although students do not need a degree to become a CNA, they must have a high school diploma or a GED.

CNA courses are often fast-paced and take between four to twelve weeks to complete 

Medical Assistant vs. Nursing Assistant: Salary

According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for MAs was  $38,270. Salaries depend on work environment, region, and years of experience.

Medical assistants working in outpatient care centers have a median annual wage of $42,820, whereas those working in physician offices and hospitals earn between $37,970 and $40,000. 

In contrast, the median annual wage for CNAs in 2022 was  $35,760 

The highest-paid CNAs work in government facilities with a median annual salary of $39,250, followed by those working in hospitals, 36,480.

Certified nursing assistants working in home healthcare earned the lowest salary at $31,280.

Top Paying States for Medical Assistants vs. Nursing Assistants

The BLS shows that the annual mean salary of nursing assistants varies based on location. 

These are the top-paying states for nursing assistants in the United States of America:

1. Alaska - $43,420
2. California - $43,570.
3. New York - $43,450
4. Oregon - $42,960

Needless to say, the salaries of CMAs also vary based on location. These are the top-paying states for medical assistants expressed in annual mean wages:

1. Washington - $50,350
2. Alaska - $50,020
3. California - $47,850
4. Massachusetts - $47,330

Medical Assistant vs. Nursing Assistant: Job Outlook

Medical assistants are in high demand, with a projected 14 percent increase in employment from 2022-2032. 

The job growth of CNAs is slower, at 4% over the next decade. 

 As the population ages and the demand for healthcare services rises, more medical professionals will be needed to staff healthcare facilities.

Differences and Similarities Between CNAs and MAs

Becoming a medical assistant or a nursing assistant requires an interest in the medical field and the health and well-being of others. 

The following points will summarize both professions' job duties, educational requirements, and job outlook. 

1. Medical assistants complete longer training programs to prepare to work in administrative and clinical settings.
2. Certified nursing assistants complete training within weeks to prepare them for hands-on care.
3. On average, medical assistants earn slightly more money than nursing assistants. 
4. There will be a greater need for MAs over the next decade, though CNAs will also be needed to replace retiring workers.
5. Nursing and medical assistants must work under the supervision of physicians, registered nurses, and other licensed healthcare professionals.