Human Resources Specialists vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $28,710 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 65.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $35,020 | +$10,420 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $37,610 | +$18,260 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $44,200 | +$28,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $48,160 | +$49,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $57,830 | +$68,710 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $44,720 | +$35,010 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Human Resources Specialists or Medical Assistants?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,710 (65.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Human Resources Specialists and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS