Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southern Careers Institute-Pharr

Pharr, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 629 in Pharr, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,645 place Southern Careers Institute-Pharr below the $31,622 national median for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $21,645 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #915 of 1,065 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services programs, Southern Careers Institute-Pharr falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $21,645 to $27,409 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
49
Score
49
High End
Earnings $21,645/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$286K
6.1% 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
$9,500
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,409
27% 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 Southern Careers Institute-Pharr

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southern Careers Institute-Pharr?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Can you still earn well with Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services from Southern Careers Institute-Pharr?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Careers Institute-Pharr's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services connects to 11 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services graduates?
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 →