Pediatric Associates: How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make?

If you’re considering a career in medical assisting, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s a look at what Medical assistants make, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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How much does a medical assistant make?

The median salary for a medical assistant is $33,610 per year, or $16.17 per hour. The top 10% of earners make more than $45,830 per year, while the bottom 10% make less than $25,730 per year.

How Medical Assistants can help you

Medical assistants are important members of the healthcare team. They work closely with doctors and nurses to provide care for patients.

Medical assistants can help you in many ways. They can take your height and weight, check your blood pressure, and take your temperature. They can also help you with questions about your health or medications.

Medical assistants can also help you get ready for a test or procedure. They may help you put on a gown or drape, and they may stay in the room with you during the test or procedure to provide support.

The duties of a medical assistant

The duties of a medical assistant are wide-ranging and depend on the size and location of the medical practice. In a small office, a medical assistant may take on more clinical duties, such as giving injections or taking X-rays. In a large office or hospital, the medical assistant may be more involved in clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments or handling billing. No matter what their specific duties, medical assistants must be able to work well under pressure and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.

In addition to their daily duties, medical assistants also may be responsible for organizing health fairs or other community outreach events. They also may provide input on office policies and procedures. Medical assistants who work in research settings may assist with data collection or analysis.

The training necessary to become a medical assistant

In order to become a medical assistant, one must complete an accredited program, which may award a certificate, diploma, or degree upon completion. Most medical assistants have a postsecondary education of some kind, although it is not necessary to have a degree in order to be employed in this field. In addition to completing an accredited program, medical assistants must also pass a certification exam.

The different types of medical assistants

medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative tasks in physician’s offices, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. There are several different types of medical assistants, each with their own unique responsibilities.

The most common type of medical assistant is the clinical medical assistant. Clinical medical assistants work directly with patients. Their duties include taking patient histories, measuring vitals signs, preparing patients for examination, assisting the physician during examination and performing basic laboratory tests. They may also give patients injections and instructions on self-care after treatment.

The second most common type of medical assistant is the administrative medical assistant. Administrative medical assistants are responsible for the back-office tasks in a healthcare facility. Their duties include scheduling appointments, verifying insurance coverage, handling billing and coding information and maintaining patient records. They may also be responsible for handling correspondence and telephone calls.

The third type of medical assistant is the specialty medical assistant. Specialty medical assistants work in specific areas of medicine such as optometry, podiatry or ophthalmology. Their duties vary depending on their area of specialization but may include measuring vision, testing eye movement and visual acuity, administering eye exams and cleaning minor wounds.

Medical assistants can be certified or registered. Certification is not required to work as a medical assistant, but some employers prefer to hire certified candidates. Certification can be obtained through professional organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants or the National Healthcare Association. Registered medical assistants have completed an accredited training program and passed a certification exam administered by their state’s licensing board.

The benefits of becoming a medical assistant

Medical assistants are in high demand and the job outlook is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. With such high job growth, now is a great time to enter the field.

There are many reasons why becoming a medical assistant can be a great career choice. Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team, providing essential support to doctors and other medical professionals. They perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories and recording vital signs, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and assisting with minor office surgery procedures.

Medical assistant salaries are also very competitive. The median annual salary for medical assistants was $34,800 in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And with experience and additional training, medical assistants can earn even higher salaries.

The challenges of being a medical assistant

Medical assistants are vital members of the healthcare team, providing support to doctors and nurses and helping to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. This important role comes with a range of challenges, however, from long hours and shift work to dealing with difficult patients. As a medical assistant, you will need to be able to cope with these challenges while remaining calm and efficient. It is also important to be aware of the potential dangers that come with working in a healthcare environment, such as exposure to infectious diseases.

The future of medical assistants

Medical assistants are in high demand and the career outlook is excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who will need medical care, and the expanding roles of medical assistants in larger medical practices.

As the future of healthcare looks bright for medical assistants, so does their earning potential. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $32,480 in 2016, with the top 10 percent earning more than $46,680. The best-paid 10 percent earned annual wages of $46,680 or more while the lowest-paid 10 percent earned annual wages of $22,770 or less.

10 things you didn’t know about medical assistants

1. Medical assistants are in high demand. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow by 29% from 2019 to 2029 – much faster than the average for all occupations.

2. A medical assistant’s salary is largely dependent on their experience and location. According to PayScale, the average salary for a medical assistant is $15.81 per hour, or $32,860 per year.

3. Medical assistants with certification can earn up to 20% more than those without certification, according to the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

4. The AAMA also reports that medical assistants with more experience tend to earn higher salaries than those just starting out in their careers.

5. Medical assistants who work in doctor’s offices tend to earn less than those who work in hospitals or other health care facilities.

6. In addition to their salaries, medical assistants may also be eligible for benefits such as paid vacation and sick days, health insurance and 401(k) plans.

7. Medical assistants typically work full time, though some may work part time or evenings and weekends if their office is open during those hours.

8. Many medical assistants work in doctors’ offices, but they may also be employed in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes or other health care facilities.

9. Medical assistants typically report to a licensed health care professional such as a doctor or nurse. However, they may also have supervisory responsibilities for other medical assistants or office staff in some cases.

5 medical assistant career paths

Medical assistants are one of the most versatile and in-demand health care professionals today. With the ever-changing landscape of health care, medical assistants are needed now more than ever to fill a variety of roles in doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals.

The salary for a medical assistant can vary depending on experience, location and the type of facility they work in. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2016.

Here are five medical assistant career paths that offer different opportunities to earn a living:

1. Clinical medical assistant
2. Specialty medical assistant
3. Transcriptionist
4. Insurance billing specialist
5. Medical office manager