Hawaii has the fifth highest concentration of medical assistants in the United States, with 5.43 medical assistants per 1,000 workers on the islands. Because of the high tourist and retirement population in this state, there is always a need for medical workers here. Thus you should have no trouble finding work as a medical assistant in Hawaii. Let’s take a look at some of the medical assistant schools in Hawaii to get a feel for where your educational options lie.
Hawaii Medical Assistant Schools at a Glance
There are several medical assistant programs in Hawaii and online, and most of them take about a year to complete. When you get out of school, you will have an associate’s degree in medical assisting, or something equivalent to it. The best medical assistant schools in the country are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accreditation Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), so you might want to look for those names when you start comparing medical assistant schools. If you find something that you like, feel free to apply and see where it takes you.
Once you complete your medical assistant degree program, you will need to take a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam. This is usually offered by the National Healthcare Association or the American Association of Medical Assistants, depending on the school you attend. With a certification on your resume, you will easily be able to find a job as a medical assistant in Hawaii. Then you can choose to continue your education or pursue your career full-force.
Medical Assistant Jobs in Hawaii
There is an abundance of medical assistant jobs in Hawaii. The mean hourly wage for this state is $16.72 an hour, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This equates to $34,780 a year, which is far more than the national average of $28,860 back in 2010. The BLS predicts a 31% increase in medical assistant jobs across the country between 2010 and 2020. Earn your degree now, and you’ll have no trouble finding work when you graduate.
Top Medical Assistant Schools in Hawaii
- Location: Honolulu
- Programs: Associate’s
- Tuition*: $35,000
- Accreditation: ACCSC
Kapiolani Community College
- Location: Waikiki
- Programs: Certificate, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $2,994 (Certificate); $5,108 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Location: Honolulu
- Programs: Diploma
- Tuition*: $12,125
- Accreditation: ABHES
Heald College
- Location: Honolulu
- Programs: Diploma, Associate’s
- Tuition*: $8,680 (Diploma); $39,510 (Associate’s)
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
