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Podiatric Medical Assistant · 2026 salary + AI outlook

Podiatric Medical Assistant salary — and how to earn like the top 1%

$36,000median / year · about $17 an hour (BLS)

AI scribes and prior-auth bots trim the paperwork, but rooming patients, assisting nail and wound procedures, and casting stay hands-on; certified, X-ray-licensed MAs pull ahead.

Entry level
$26,000
Top earners
$48,000
Job growth
+5%
AI exposure
Low
🏆 The Top 1% Playbook

How to reach the top 1% of Podiatric Medical Assistants

Four moves, straight from how the highest-paid in this field use AI in 2026:

1
Get specialty-certified Earn the ASPMA's Podiatric Medical Assistant Certified (PMAC) on top of a CMA or CCMA. Podiatry-specific credentialing separates you from a general medical assistant and lifts you into the top pay band.
2
Add the X-ray license Get your state limited-scope radiology permit so you can shoot foot and ankle films. An MA who images as well as rooms and assists is far harder for a busy podiatry office to replace.
3
Own the podiatry EHR Master a podiatry system like TRAKnet or Modernizing Medicine's EMA Podiatry, AI scribe workflows included. The MA who keeps the schedule full and the notes clean becomes the one the practice can't lose.
4
Assist advanced procedures Build real skill in wound care, total-contact casting, and DME fitting; MAs who confidently assist complex diabetic-foot and in-office surgical procedures earn lead-MA roles and the pay that comes with them.
💡 The move that pays: AI writes the note, not the splint — the certified MA who can shoot an X-ray and cast a foot is irreplaceable.
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Podiatric Medical Assistant Salary in 2026

Podiatric Medical Assistant pay, in real terms

Per hour
$17.31
Per week
$692
Every 2 weeks
$1,385
Per month
$3,000

At the national median of $36,000/year, a podiatric medical assistant earns $3,000/month before taxes. Over a 30-year career that's roughly $1,080,000 in gross earnings — and that's before raises, promotions, or bonuses.

That puts this role about 25% below the U.S. median wage for all workers (about $48,060/year, per BLS). Using the common rule of keeping housing under 30% of gross pay, this salary supports about $900/month in rent or mortgage.

Figures are gross (pre-tax) estimates from the national median; use the take-home and hourly calculators on PayCrunch for your exact state and situation.

Updated June 2026 · BLS Data
How much does a Podiatric Medical Assistant make?
$36,000per year
National median salary · $17.31/hour · $3,000/month
Hourly
$17.31
Monthly
$3,000
Weekly
$692
Daily
$138
Estimated take-home
$27,360/yr
Adjust Your Market Position
$36,000/yr
Entry Level · $26,000 Top Earner · $48,000
IRS.gov data
BLS.gov verified
All 50 states
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What Does a Podiatric Medical Assistant Do?

Podiatric medical assistants support podiatrists by preparing patients, assisting with procedures, and managing records.

Podiatric Medical Assistant Salary by State

Select your state to see the adjusted podiatric medical assistant salary based on cost-of-living differences.

Select a state above

How to Become a Podiatric Medical Assistant

Education: High school diploma + training

Certifications: PMAC certification valued

Career path: Trainee → Podiatric MA → Senior MA → Lead MA → Office Manager

Podiatric Medical Assistant Salary by Experience

Entry level
$26,000
Mid-career
$36,000
Senior
$43,680

Estimates based on BLS percentile data and industry surveys. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and individual qualifications.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Podiatric Medical Assistants

#StateAnnualMonthlyHourly
1Hawaii$42,480$3,540$20.42
2California$41,400$3,450$19.90
3New York$41,400$3,450$19.90
4Massachusetts$40,320$3,360$19.38
5New Jersey$40,320$3,360$19.38
6Connecticut$39,600$3,300$19.04
7Washington$39,600$3,300$19.04
8Maryland$38,880$3,240$18.69
9Alaska$37,800$3,150$18.17
10Colorado$37,800$3,150$18.17

State salaries estimated using BLS national median adjusted by regional cost-of-living factors.

Compare to Related Jobs

Job TitleMedian SalaryHourlyDifference
Podiatric Medical Assistant$36,000$17.31
Paraoptometric$36,000$17.31
Patient Care Technician$36,000$17.31
Certified Nursing Assistant$35,760$17.19$-240
Pharmacy Technician$37,790$18.17+$1,790
Veterinary Technician$38,000$18.27+$2,000
Birth Doula$38,000$18.27+$2,000

Job Outlook

The BLS projects +5% growth for podiatric medical assistants through 2032, which is faster than average compared to the average for all occupations (3%).

🆕 New & Trending AI Tools for Podiatric Medical AssistantReviewed July 2026

We track new AI-tool launches every week and refresh this list — here’s what’s gaining traction for Podiatric Medical Assistant work right now.

AbridgeNEWEnterprise / see site

Ambient AI scribe that turns a patient conversation into structured clinical notes.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: document a visit automatically instead of charting after your shift

Microsoft Dragon CopilotNEWEnterprise / see site

Voice AI that dictates and drafts clinical documentation (successor to Nuance DAX).

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: speak your notes and have the chart written and filed for you

Heidi HealthNEWFree / paid tiers

AI documentation tool built around clinician and nurse workflows.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: handle shift notes and handovers without manual write-ups

OpenEvidenceNEWFree for verified clinicians

AI that answers clinical questions from current medical evidence, with citations.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: check the latest evidence at the point of care in seconds

NotebookLMNEWFree / $7.99 mo

Google tool that answers questions grounded only in the documents you give it — with citations.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: load your own manuals, policies, or PDFs and ask questions that stay accurate to the source

SukiEnterprise / see site

AI voice assistant for clinical notes and coding.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: dictate notes hands-free and cut charting time sharply

NablaFree tier / see site

Ambient AI assistant that generates notes from the patient encounter.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: capture the visit and get a ready-to-review note in seconds

ChatGPTFree / $20 mo

The most-used AI assistant — writing, analysis, research, and images from a plain-language chat.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: draft emails and documents, summarize long files, and get instant answers to on-the-job questions

ClaudeFree / $20 mo

AI assistant known for careful writing, long-document analysis, and coding.

How a Podiatric Medical Assistant uses it: analyze big reports or spreadsheets and turn messy notes into clean, finished writing

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a podiatric medical assistant make?
The national median salary for a podiatric medical assistant is $36,000 per year, or $17.31 per hour. Entry-level positions start around $26,000 while top earners make $48,000 or more.
What education do you need to become a podiatric medical assistant?
Most podiatric medical assistant positions require high school diploma + training. Additional certifications or experience may increase earning potential.
What is the job outlook for podiatric medical assistants?
Employment of podiatric medical assistants is projected to grow 5% over the next decade, which is about average compared to the average for all occupations.
What are the highest paying states for podiatric medical assistants?
The highest paying states include Hawaii, California, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, where cost of living adjustments push salaries above the national median.
Can you make six figures as a podiatric medical assistant?
While the median salary is below six figures, top earners in high-paying states and with significant experience can approach or exceed $100,000.
Methodology and data sources

Salary data is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program. National median, 10th percentile, and 90th percentile figures are sourced from the most recent BLS OES release. State-level salary estimates are calculated by applying regional price parity adjustments from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to the national median. Job growth projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program. Education and certification requirements are based on BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook descriptions. All figures are approximate and updated periodically.

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