How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make Per Hour in Chicago?

How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Chicago? The answer may surprise you! We’ve compiled data from across the web to come up with an accurate estimate.

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Job Description

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory care settings performing administrative and clinical duties. Medical assistants are an integral part of the health care delivery team. They work closely with physicians, other health care providers and patients to provide quality patient care.

Duties

The medical assistant salary in Chicago is $36,290 per year, or $17.48 per hour. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there are 12,260 medical assistants employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area.1
Medical assistants in Chicago are paid a mean wage that is lower than the national average wage for this occupation. Salary and employment data comes from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319092.htm#nat

Education and Training

Education and Training
In order to become a medical assistant, one must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. There are no formal educational requirements beyond that, but many employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed an accredited medical assisting program. These programs typically last about one year and result in a certificate or diploma. Some community colleges offer two-year associate degree programs in medical assisting.

A growing number of medical assistants are choosing to earn the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for the CMA exam, candidates must graduate from an accredited medical assisting program and have completed at least five years of work experience as a medical assistant. Once they pass the exam, CMAs must recertify every 60 months by completing continuing education credits or re-taking the exam.

Certification

There are many ways to become a certified medical assistant. You can attend a traditional college, an online college, or a community college that offers certification. There are also many vocational schools that offer certification. The most important thing is to make sure that the program you choose is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Salary

The median hourly rate for medical assistants in Chicago is $18.50, which is lower than the national average of $19.97 per hour. Medical assistants in the top 10th percentile earn $24.59 per hour, while those in the bottom 10th percentile earn $14.24 per hour.

Job Outlook

Medical assistants are multi-skilled health care professionals who perform administrative and clinical tasks in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities. In Chicago, the average hourly wage for medical assistants is $16.50. The job outlook for medical assistants is positive, with an expected growth rate of 29% from 2019 to 2029.

Pros and Cons

There are a few things to consider before becoming a medical assistant. Here are some pros and cons to think about:

Pros:
-Medical assistants are in high demand. The job outlook for medical assistants is expected to grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
-They can earn a good salary. The median hourly wage for medical assistants was $16.42 in May 2019. The top 10% of earners made more than $24.00 per hour, and the bottom 10% earned less than $10.72 per hour.
-They receive good benefits. Many employers offer medical assistants health insurance retirement savings plans, and paid time off.
-They can find work in many places. Medical assistants work in hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities.

Cons:
-They may have to work long hours. Medical assistants often work more than 40 hours per week, and they may have to work evenings or weekends to cover shifts when other staff members are off duty.
-They may have to work in stressful situations. Medical assistants may occasionally have to deal with angry or upset patients or family members.

What to Expect

The average medical assistant in Chicago earns $19.32 per hour. This is higher than the national average of $18.21 per hour.

Medical assistants in Chicago can expect to earn a salary that is on par with the national average. However, there are a number of factors that can influence how much a medical assistant makes per hour in Chicago. These include the type of employer, the size of the facility, and the location of the facility.

Advancement Opportunities

Medical assistants in Chicago can expect to earn a competitive wage. A typical medical assistant in the city makes $17.32 per hour, or $36,040 per year. Experienced medical assistants may earn up to $22.50 per hour, or $46,800 per year. In addition to their hourly wage, many medical assistants also receive benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.

Tips for Success

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as medical assistant pay can vary depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, and employer. However, we can provide some general tips to help you maximize your earnings as a medical assistant in Chicago.

In general, medical assistants in Chicago tend to earn slightly more than the national average for their profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for medical assistants in the Chicago area was $17.36 in 2019, compared to $16.88 for medical assistants across the country as a whole.

If you’re looking to maximize your earnings as a medical assistant in Chicago, one of the best things you can do is check out job postings on popular job search websites like Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com. These websites often have salary information listed right in the job posting, so you can get a good sense of what an employer is willing to pay before you even apply for a position.

In addition, it’s always a good idea to brush up on your skills and knowledge before applying for jobs or going on interviews. Employers will be impressed by applicants who are up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the medical field, so take some time to read industry publications or take continuing education courses (many of which are offered online).

Finally, remember that negotiation is an important part of getting the salary you deserve. If an employer offers you a lower rate than what you were hoping for, don’t be afraid to counter with a higher number – chances are they will be open to negotiation if they want to hire you badly enough!