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Medical Assistant vs CNA: Which Is Better for You?

  • Writer: Elnaz Sarabchian
    Elnaz Sarabchian
  • Jul 2
  • 2 min read

If you're thinking about starting a healthcare career but aren’t sure whether to become a Medical Assistant (MA) or a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) — you're not alone.

Both roles are essential to patient care, but they offer very different career paths, training requirements, and day-to-day duties. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences to help you decide which one is the right fit for your goals.

NHA Certified Medical Assistant Program vs CNA

🩺 What Does a Medical Assistant Do?

Medical Assistants work in outpatient settings like:

  • Clinics

  • Doctor’s offices

  • Urgent care centers

  • Specialty practices (pediatrics, OB/GYN, dermatology)

They handle both clinical duties (like taking vitals, drawing blood, giving injections) and administrative tasks (like scheduling appointments, working with electronic health records, and processing insurance).

🛏️ What Does a CNA Do?

Certified Nursing Assistants primarily work in:

  • Nursing homes

  • Long-term care facilities

  • Hospitals

CNA duties focus on direct patient care, such as:

  • Helping with bathing and dressing

  • Feeding and turning patients

  • Monitoring vital signs

  • Assisting with mobility and safety

💰 Salary Comparison

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Medical Assistant average salary: $38,000–$45,000/year

  • CNA average salary: $30,000–$36,000/year

MAs tend to earn more due to their dual clinical/administrative role and the growing demand in outpatient care.

🎓 Which Career Is Right for You?

Choose Medical Assistant if you:

  • Want a mix of clinical and office work

  • Prefer working in outpatient settings

  • Are thinking about going into nursing or pre-med

  • Want opportunities for advancement (billing, office management, etc.)

Choose CNA if you:

  • Love hands-on patient care

  • Are comfortable in long-term care environments

  • Want to get started as quickly as possible

  • Plan to go into nursing and want direct bedside experience

💡 Tip: Start as a Medical Assistant — and Grow from There

Many students choose Medical Assisting as a starting point because it offers more flexibility, upward mobility, and a strong foundation for nursing, PA school, or med school.

At Clinical Skills Institute, you can become a nationally certified MA in 3–4 months, 100% online, with career support included.

✅ Ready to Start Your Healthcare Career?

Our Medical Assistant program is:

  • 📚 NHA-accredited

  • 💻 100% online and self-paced

  • 💸 Only $100 to start with payment plans available

  • 🎓 Includes NHA exam fee, mock tests, and resume help

 
 
 
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