Medical Assistants
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 7,102 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 55% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
AI could do much of this on its own
Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Greet and log in patients arriving at office or clinic.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Perform general office duties, such as answering telephones, taking dictation, or completing insurance forms.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Collect blood, tissue, or other laboratory specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Help physicians examine and treat patients, handing them instruments or materials or performing such tasks as giving injections or removing sutures.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Dental Assistants
Very similar workabout the same pay3,762 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about the same—$49,334 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Sales and Marketing
Nursing Assistants
Very similar work+1% pay15,327 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 1% more—$49,820 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Social Perceptiveness
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Extent Flexibility
- Static Strength
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Very similar work+40% pay4,407 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 40% more—$69,060 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
New skills to build
- Psychology
- Extent Flexibility
- Service Orientation
- Coordination
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Very similar work+87% pay241 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 87% more—$92,078 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
- Physics
Surgical Assistants
Similar work+25% pay44 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 25% more—$61,754 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Active Listening
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Control Precision
- Reaction Time
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Registered Nurses
Similar work+129% pay14,445 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 129% more—$112,504 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Biology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Mathematics
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Similar work+1% pay1,316 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$49,794 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Mathematics
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Somewhat similar work+26% pay874 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 26% more—$62,004 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speaking
- Active Listening
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Physician Assistants
Somewhat similar work+236% pay1,935 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 236% more—$165,381 vs your $49,214 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Therapy and Counseling