Medical Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 630 in San Marcos, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,915/yr, roughly in line with the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Some AI exposure exists in Medical Assisting's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $31,915 far exceeding the $8,890 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #489 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $37,325 are relatively flat compared to the $31,915 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Medical Assisting offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
56
Score
57
High End
Earnings $31,915/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$383K
4.0% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,890
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,325
17% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Medical Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Occupational therapy assistants $68,340 +19.2% 73%
Physical therapist assistants $65,510 +22.0% 85%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Occupational therapy assistants
$68,340
+19.2% growth 73% AI-proof
Physical therapist assistants
$65,510
+22.0% growth 85% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Medical Assisting Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Medical Assisting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos's Medical Assisting program score?
At 56/100, Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos's Medical Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How affordable is Medical Assisting at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos?
Median debt of just $8,890 against $31,915/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
Yes — 11 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Medical Assisting career paths, including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →