How Much Do Medical Assistants Make in Sacramento CA?

How Much Do Medical assistants Make in Sacramento CA? Find out the average pay for MAs in the area so you can negotiate your salary.

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Job Description

The median annual wage for Medical Assistants was $33,610 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,280, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,860.

Duties

Medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties and are vital members of the healthcare team. They may take medical histories, help prepare patients for examination, assist the physician during thevisit, perform routine diagnostic tests, draw blood, give injections and instruct patients on follow-up care. Medical assistants also schedule patients for hospital admissions and diagnostic procedures, fill out insurance forms, code patients’ medical records for billing purposes and arrange for laboratory services. They also may take X rays, remove sutures and change dressings.

Salary

The average salary for a medical assistant in Sacramento, CA is $17.17 per hour. This is 7% lower than the national average salary for a medical assistant

Job Outlook

Medical assistants in Sacramento CA earn a median annual salary of $33,770, which is lower than the national average for this occupation. Job growth in this region is projected to be above average, at 22.4% between 2016 and 2026.

Education and Training

A medical assistant is a multi-skilled health professional who supports the work of physicians and other health professionals. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks in physician offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They are typically responsible for scheduling appointments, taking medical histories and preparing patients for examination, compiling and maintaining patients’ Medical records billing and coding insurance forms, handling correspondence, authorizations, and referrals, and arranging laboratory services. Many medical assistants have additional training in phlebotomy (drawing blood) or electrocardiography (ECG or EKG).

Medical assistants usually have formal training consisting of an accredited postsecondary education program of one to two years’ duration; however, some states allow on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed physician. Some medical assistants are certified; however, certification is not required for practice in most states. Although not required by law, employers may prefer to hire those with certification or successful completion of an accredited medical assisting program

Certification

The average salary for a Medical Assistant in Sacramento, CA is $17.96 per hour. The median salary is $18.48 per hour.
To become certified, medical assistants must complete an accredited program, which typically takes one year or less to complete. Some medical assistants choose to become certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). To be eligible for the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, candidates must graduate from a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Skills

In order to be a medical assistant, one must hold certain skills. Those skills are:
-The ability to effectively communicate with patients, families, and members of the healthcare team
-The ability to work well under pressure
-Excellent time management and organizational skills
-The ability to multitask and prioritize tasks
-Attention to detail
-A strong work ethic

Work Schedule

In addition to the traditional full-time workweek, many employers offer part-time, evening, and weekend schedules. With more than 3,400 medical assistants employed in the Sacramento area, there are plenty of opportunities to find a work schedule that fits your lifestyle.

Benefits

In addition to a salary, medical assistants in Sacramento CA also receive benefits. These can include health insurance vacation pay, and sick pay. Some employers also offer retirement plans and continuing education opportunities.

Career Paths

Medical assistants are in high demand nationwide, but salaries can vary significantly from state to state. In California, the average annual salary for a medical assistant is $33,770, but in Sacramento, the average salary is much higher at $37,490 per year. With a population of over 1.5 million people, Sacramento is the sixth-largest city in California and home to a number of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. As the capital city of the state, Sacramento also has a large number of government offices and employees.