Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 2,692 in Olympia, WA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,815/yr, edging above the $31,622 national average for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 36.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services'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.

At #342 of 1,065 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs, South Puget Sound Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
60
Score
60
High End
Earnings $35,815/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$375K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.7x
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 (In-State)
$10,206
Out-of-state: $11,274
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$37,274
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 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 →

About Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Careers

Your career will likely begin on the front lines of patient care as a medical assistant in a busy clinic or doctor’s office. You’ll be the one taking vitals, drawing blood samples, and prepping exam rooms—the essential link between patients and physicians. As you build experience, you can specialize. You might pursue a high-growth path as a physical therapist assistant, actively helping patients recover from injury, or become an occupational therapy assistant, guiding them to regain daily living skills. This is hands-on, patient-facing work that requires a human touch and simply can’t be done remotely or automated. While entry-level roles provide a solid starting salary, experienced specialists in fields like therapy assistance often earn significantly more. The long-term demand is strong across the board, with some specialties projected to grow over 20%, offering a stable and rewarding career ladder from entry-level practitioner to seasoned expert.

Read the full Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Overview

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Puget Sound Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at South Puget Sound Community College?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services field.
Can I learn Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 11 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services career paths, including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services workers?
With approximately 252,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →