Medical Assisting at CET-Watsonville

Watsonville, CA · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a smaller institution with 149 students in Watsonville, CA.

Program Analysis

At $32,056/yr, Medical Assisting graduates from CET-Watsonville land near the $31,622 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $6,246 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #392 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, CET-Watsonville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $33,140 are relatively flat compared to the $32,056 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.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $32,056/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$335K
1.0% 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
$6,246
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,140
3% 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

Explore what Medical Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1065 programs nationwide.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at CET-Watsonville

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CET-Watsonville's Medical Assisting program score?
At 57/100, CET-Watsonville's Medical Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the typical debt for Medical Assisting graduates from CET-Watsonville?
At $6,246 in median debt, Medical Assisting graduates from CET-Watsonville carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at CET-Watsonville?
The DOL recognizes 11 apprenticeship pathways related to Medical Assisting. For students weighing CET-Watsonville's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Medical Assisting from CET-Watsonville?
With approximately 252,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Medical Assisting offers a very large employment pool. CET-Watsonville graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →