The Average Salary of a Medical Assistant in San Francisco

Medical assistants in San Francisco earn an average salary of $38,890 per year. This figure is higher than the average salary for Medical assistants in other parts of the country, and it reflects the high cost of living in the Bay Area. Medical Assistants in San Francisco can expect to earn a competitive wage, and those with experience may be able to earn even more.

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Job Description

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team. They perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, physician assistants, and other health practitioners running smoothly. In small offices, medical assistants may take on additional responsibilities, such as scheduling appointments, handling correspondence, billing, and coding for insurance purposes.

Most medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate or diploma from an accredited medical assisting program. Although not required, certification may improve job prospects. Experience in a related occupation is also helpful.

Job Outlook
Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth of the aging baby-boom population will continue to require preventive medical services, which are often provided by physicians. As their practices expand, physicians will hire more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Duties

As a medical assistant you will be responsible for performing a variety of duties to support the work of doctors and other medical professionals. Your duties may include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting with procedures, providing instruction to patients on caring for themselves at home after treatment, and performing administrative tasks.

Education and Training

Education and Training
Most medical assistants have a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or Associate’s degree from an accredited program. Although not required, some students may choose to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in medical assisting. 1 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most programs take about 1 year to complete, although some accelerated programs can be completed in as little as 9 months. 2

Medical assistant programs include courses in Medical Terminology anatomy and physiology, keyboarding, insurance processing, and medical office procedures. 3 Many programs also include an externship or practicum component, which allows students to gain real-world experience in a health care setting. 4

References
1. “Medical Assistants.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , 26 Jan. 2021, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-4.
2. Ibid

Certification

Medical assistants in San Francisco earn an average salary of $40,560 per year, which is significantly higher than the national average of $33,610. Those working in the city can expect to earn a higher wage than their counterparts in other parts of the country due to the high cost of living in the area. Medical assistants who are certified can expect to earn a higher salary than those who are not. The average salary for a certified medical assistant in San Francisco is $42,650 per year.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2019, the average salary for a medical assistant in San Francisco was $37,430 per year. This is slightly higher than the average salary for a medical assistant in California, which is $36,500 per year. The average salary for a medical assistant in the United States is $33,610 per year.

Job Outlook

The medical assistant job outlook is positive with a projected 23% growth from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby boomer population is increasing the demand for preventive medical services, which are often provided by medical assistants. In addition, as physicians expand their practices, they will hire more medical assistants to perform routine administrative and clinical duties, allowing the physicians to see more patients.

Pros and Cons

There are many factors to consider when making the decision to become a medical assistant. Salary is certainly one of them. In San Francisco, the average salary for a medical assistant is $34,000. However, there are a number of factors that can affect salary, such as experience, education, and employer type.

working as a medical assistant has a number of pros and cons. Pros include the potential for good pay, job security, and the ability to help people. On the downside, medical assistants may have to work long hours, deal with stressful situations, and have contact with blood and other bodily fluids.

How to Become a Medical Assistant

Medical assistants perform many important administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant, there are a few things you need to know.

First, you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Although some medical assistants have only a high school education, most have completed a postsecondary education program. There are many vocational schools, community colleges and universities that offer accredited programs in medical assisting. These programs typically last one or two years and result in a certificate or associate’s degree.

Once you have completed your education, you will need to take and pass a certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be officially certified as a medical assistant.

If you are interested in working as a medical assistant in San Francisco, you will be happy to know that the average salary for this occupation is $38,720 per year.

Medical Assistant Schools in San Francisco

There are many schools that offer medical assistant programs in San Francisco. Some of these include City College of San Francisco, Everest College, Heald College, and Kaplan University. The average salary for a medical assistant in San Francisco is $33,000 per year.

FAQs

The average salary for a Medical Assistant in San Francisco, California is $38,721. This is 7% higher than the national average for a Medical Assistant.