Medical Assistant salary in Richmond, VA
Typical pay is $21.39/hr in Richmond, VA. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Richmond, VA.
What the range looks like
- 10th percentile Entry level / starting out
- $18.18/hr
- 25th percentile Below typical
- $18.62/hr
- Median Half earn more, half earn less
- $21.39/hr
- 75th percentile Above typical
- $22.07/hr
- 90th percentile Experienced / specialised
- $22.57/hr
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025) — Richmond, VA.
See what's hiring now
Browse open medical assistants in Richmond, VA.
What a medical assistant does
Medical assistants combine clinical and administrative work in outpatient clinics and physician practices — taking vitals one moment, handling scheduling and records the next.
Day-to-day duties
- Take patient histories and vital signs
- Prepare patients and rooms for examination
- Draw blood and administer injections where permitted
- Schedule appointments and manage records
- Handle prescription refill requests
Skills employers look for
- Balancing clinical and admin work
- Electronic health record systems
- Patient communication
- Organisation across a busy clinic day
Requirements
- Postsecondary certificate or diploma (about 9–12 months)
- CMA or RMA certification preferred by many employers
- CPR certification
- Some states regulate specific clinical tasks
How to get started
- 1 Complete a medical assisting programme
- 2 Sit a certification exam (CMA, RMA or NCMA)
- 3 Start in a clinic or physician practice
- 4 Specialise or move into practice management
Job outlook: Outpatient care continues to expand relative to hospital care, which keeps medical assistant demand growing steadily.
Common questions about medical assistants in Richmond, VA
How much does a medical assistant make in Richmond, VA?
The median pay for a medical assistant in Richmond, VA is $21.39 an hour — about $44,490 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Richmond, VA (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.
What is the pay range for medical assistants in Richmond, VA?
Most medical assistants in Richmond, VA earn between $18.18 an hour and $22.57 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.
How much do entry-level medical assistants make in Richmond, VA?
Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $18.18 an hour in Richmond, VA. A quarter of medical assistants earn below $18.62 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band.
What do the highest-paid medical assistants earn?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Richmond, VA earn about $22.57 an hour or more. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.
What does a medical assistant do?
Medical assistants combine clinical and administrative work in outpatient clinics and physician practices — taking vitals one moment, handling scheduling and records the next. Day to day, that means take patient histories and vital signs, prepare patients and rooms for examination, draw blood and administer injections where permitted and schedule appointments and manage records.
How do you become a medical assistant?
The usual route is: (1) complete a medical assisting programme, (2) sit a certification exam (CMA, RMA or NCMA), (3) start in a clinic or physician practice, (4) specialise or move into practice management. Employers typically look for postsecondary certificate or diploma (about 9–12 months), CMA or RMA certification preferred by many employers and CPR certification.
Do you need a certification to work as a medical assistant?
Usually not. Most employers hire medical assistants without a specific licence, though postsecondary certificate or diploma (about 9–12 months) will widen your options and often your pay.
Are medical assistants in demand in Richmond, VA?
Outpatient care continues to expand relative to hospital care, which keeps medical assistant demand growing steadily.
Where are medical assistants most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Other roles in Richmond, VA
Similar roles in Richmond, VA
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.