Medical Assisting at Lake Area Technical College

Watertown, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

with a smaller student body of 1,710 in Watertown, SD.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,932 at Lake Area Technical College come in 14% above the national median of $31,622 for Medical Assisting programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Medical Assisting programs nationally.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $35,932 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #359 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Lake Area Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $35,932 to $44,181 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Medical Assisting offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
59
Score
60
High End
Earnings $35,932/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$458K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
34.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition
$13,436
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,181
23% 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

See the full career breakdown for Medical Assisting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Lake Area Technical College and 1064 other schools.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lake Area Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Lake Area Technical College?
At 59/100, Lake Area Technical College's Medical Assisting program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Can I learn Medical Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Lake Area Technical College?
There are 11 registered apprenticeships connected to Medical Assisting occupations, such as Ambulance Attendant (Emt) and Health Care Sanitary Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Medical Assisting workers?
The career paths mapped to Medical Assisting have roughly 252,100 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →