Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Portland Community College
with a mid-sized student body of 18,365 in Portland, OR.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $45,994 put Portland Community College's Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services program 45% above the national median of $31,622 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 95.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $45,994 far exceeding the $8,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #19 of 1,065 nationally, this is a top-5% Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 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% |
About Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Careers
Your career will likely begin on the front lines of patient care as a medical assistant in a busy clinic or doctor’s office. You’ll be the one taking vitals, drawing blood samples, and prepping exam rooms—the essential link between patients and physicians. As you build experience, you can specialize. You might pursue a high-growth path as a physical therapist assistant, actively helping patients recover from injury, or become an occupational therapy assistant, guiding them to regain daily living skills. This is hands-on, patient-facing work that requires a human touch and simply can’t be done remotely or automated. While entry-level roles provide a solid starting salary, experienced specialists in fields like therapy assistance often earn significantly more. The long-term demand is strong across the board, with some specialties projected to grow over 20%, offering a stable and rewarding career ladder from entry-level practitioner to seasoned expert.
Read the full Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services career guide →
Compare & Explore
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Overview
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Other Majors at Portland Community College
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