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3,100+ OPENINGS 8% Job Growth

Medical Assistant Jobs in New Jersey

$48K median salary • Top employers hiring now

New Jersey's healthcare industry employs over 460,000 workers in America's most densely populated state. The NYC-Philadelphia corridor creates intense healthcare market dynamics. RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health dominate as mega-systems. The state ranks 22nd in health outcomes with excellent hospital access. New Jersey has more hospitals per capita than most states. High cost of living demands high wages. Pharmaceutical industry presence (J&J, Merck) creates unique opportunities.

3,100+
Annual Jobs
$48K
Median Salary
8%
Job Growth
$0
To Train
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Medical Assistant Jobs in New Jersey

Who This Training Is For

Ideal for candidates with prior MA clinical experience who need certification to validate their skills for New Jersey employers.

New to healthcare? You're welcome to enroll, but be aware: if you have no prior clinical experience, you must complete a Self-Managed 100-Hour Externship on your own to satisfy the program's practical component and prepare for the certification exam.

Externship Disclaimer

EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. All externships are self-managed. You are responsible for identifying and securing your own externship site.

New Jersey Healthcare Industry

Understanding the NJ healthcare job market:

New Jersey's healthcare industry employs over 460,000 workers in America's most densely populated state. The NYC-Philadelphia corridor creates intense healthcare market dynamics. RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health dominate as mega-systems. The state ranks 22nd in health outcomes with excellent hospital access. New Jersey has more hospitals per capita than most states. High cost of living demands high wages. Pharmaceutical industry presence (J&J, Merck) creates unique opportunities.

460,000
Healthcare Workers
71
Hospitals
#22
Health Ranking
115.2%
Cost of Living

Medical Assistant Salary in New Jersey

NJ salary ranges by experience level:

Salary by Experience

Entry-Level
(0-1 years)
$36,000
Mid-Level
(2-4 years)
$48,000
Experienced
(5+ years)
$56,000

What Affects Your Salary

New Jersey pays among highest CMA wages nationally—Bergen and Essex counties top the state. RWJBarnabas and Hackensack Meridian set competitive standards. NYC commuter zones pay most. South Jersey (Camden) lower but Philly-accessible. Bilingual Spanish adds $3,000-$5,000. Union positions available at many facilities. Pharmaceutical industry presence creates premium opportunities.

Top Medical Assistant Employers in New Jersey

New Jersey features two dominant mega-systems and diverse hospital options:

RWJBarnabas Health

280 hires/yr

Statewide (11 hospitals)

New Jersey's largest health system with 11 hospitals. Rutgers medical school partnership. CMAs have extensive mobility across state. Academic affiliation with comprehensive benefits.

Hackensack Meridian Health

250 hires/yr

Statewide (18 hospitals)

Major NJ system with 18 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean County. CMAs have extensive location options. Hackensack University Medical Center flagship. Strong academic programs.

Virtua Health

85 hires/yr

South Jersey (5 hospitals)

South Jersey's largest health system. CMAs serve Burlington, Camden, Gloucester communities. Independent nonprofit with strong regional presence.

AtlantiCare

50 hires/yr

Atlantic City, Shore region

Shore region's health system serving Atlantic City and coast. CMAs serve casino workers, retirees, and beach communities. Part of Geisinger network.

Cooper University Health Care

60 hires/yr

Camden, South Jersey

Camden's academic medical center with Rowan medical school. CMAs work in academic environment. Level I trauma center serving Philadelphia suburbs.

University Hospital

45 hires/yr

Newark

New Jersey's public academic hospital with Rutgers affiliation. CMAs serve diverse Newark communities. State employee benefits. Level I trauma center.

NJ Job Market by Region

Where the jobs are in New Jersey:

Region Annual Openings % of State
Newark/Essex County465+15%
Bergen/Hudson County525+17%
Middlesex County370+12%
Camden/South Jersey340+11%
Monmouth/Ocean County400+13%
Morris/Sussex County280+9%

Success Stories from New Jersey

“Hackensack is a major medical center—Level II trauma, academic programs, the works. Northern Jersey pays well because we're competing with NYC salaries. I do vitals, EKGs, injections in a fast-paced academic environment. Yes, NJ is expensive, but the wages match. I'm 20 minutes from Manhattan.”

Maria S.

Clinical Medical Assistant

Hackensack University Medical Center

Started at $46K at Hackensack. Major medical center with NYC proximity.

“Elizabeth is one of NJ's most diverse cities—my Spanish is essential every day. RWJBarnabas promoted me to lead within two years because bilingual clinical staff are critical here. New Jersey wages are good and the patient population is interesting. Diversity is our strength.”

Carlos R.

Bilingual CMA Lead

RWJBarnabas

Advanced to lead at $54K. Bilingual skills drive advancement in diverse NJ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are New Jersey's high wages worth the cost of living?
For many, yes. New Jersey wages are among the highest nationally ($48K median vs $38K national). Cost of living is 115% of average. Northern NJ is most expensive. South Jersey offers better value. Pharmaceutical industry and NYC proximity drive premium wages.
How do RWJBarnabas and Hackensack Meridian compare?
Both are mega-systems covering New Jersey. RWJBarnabas is slightly larger with Rutgers partnership. Hackensack Meridian has strong academic programs. Both offer extensive mobility and competitive wages. Competition benefits CMAs through employer choice.
Is bilingual Spanish essential in New Jersey?
Essential in many communities—Newark, Elizabeth, Camden, Paterson have large Hispanic populations. Bilingual CMAs add $3,000-$5,000 to salary. FQHC and community health settings require Spanish. Major asset throughout the state.
What about pharmaceutical industry opportunities?
New Jersey's pharma corridor (J&J, Merck, etc.) creates clinical trial opportunities. CMAs may support research at academic centers. Industry presence drives healthcare investment. Unique advantage for New Jersey CMAs interested in research.
What's the job outlook for CMAs in New Jersey?
New Jersey's CMA market grows at 8% annually with 3,100+ openings. Dense population ensures sustained demand. Both mega-systems expanding. Strong outlook through 2034.

Medical Assistant Certification in Nearby States

New York Pennsylvania Delaware Connecticut

Start Your Clinical Healthcare Career in New Jersey

New Jersey's healthcare industry employs over 460,000 workers in America's most densely populated state. The NYC-Philadelphia corridor creates intense healthcare market dynamics. RWJBarnabas Health and Hackensack Meridian Health dominate as mega-systems. The state ranks 22nd in health outcomes with excellent hospital access. New Jersey has more hospitals per capita than most states. High cost of living demands high wages. Pharmaceutical industry presence (J&J, Merck) creates unique opportunities.

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