Medication Aide: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals seeking a foundational role in patient care, this program equips learners with the essential skills to support medical teams by safely administering prescribed medications and monitoring patient responses. Graduates gain hands-on expertise in critical clinical tasks while operating under the direct supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology: A foundational understanding of human body systems, structures, and functions to support informed clinical decision-making.
- Medication Effects and Pharmacology: Study of common pharmaceutical agents, their therapeutic uses, mechanisms of action, and anticipated physiological responses.
- Vital Signs Assessment: Training in accurately measuring and interpreting core indicators such as temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
- Oxygen Therapy Administration: Instruction in the safe delivery and monitoring of supplemental oxygen in clinical settings.
- Medication Administration Protocols: Comprehensive education on proper techniques, routes, dosages, and safety procedures for delivering medications.
- Medical Record Documentation: Development of accurate, timely, and compliant documentation practices for patient care and medication tracking.
- Patient Observation and Reporting: Skills in identifying changes in patient condition and communicating observations effectively to supervising healthcare providers.
Medication Aide Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Medication Aide Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Medication Aide degrees, including Healthcare Support Workers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 103,650 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other 31-9099 | $46,050 | $32,450 - $68,180 | 103,650 | $22.14 |
Medication Aide Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $33,030 in Louisiana to $72,700 in District of Columbia—a 120% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Alaska, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 103,650 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Medication Aide by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 29 institutions offering Medication Aide programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Medication Aide is found at Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (125 graduates), Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) (84 graduates), Salina Area Technical College (61 graduates), Neosho County Community College (NCCC) (55 graduates), and Highland Community College (HCC) (47 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 724 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Medication Aide programs
How much can I earn with a Medication Aide degree?
Salaries for Medication Aide graduates vary by role and location. Healthcare Support Workers, All Other earn a median of $46,050 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $72,700 compared to $33,030 in Louisiana. Approximately 103,650 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Medication Aide programs?
Currently 29 accredited institutions offer Medication Aide degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (125 graduates), Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) (84 graduates), and Salina Area Technical College (61 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Medication Aide growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 463 in 2010 to 724 in 2023-24. This represents a 56% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Medication Aide degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Healthcare Support Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 103,650 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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