How Much Do Medical Assistant Jobs Pay?

If you’re considering a career as a medical assistant you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s a look at medical assistant salaries across the country.

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Introduction

Introduction

Medical assistants are responsible for providing basic patient care, taking vital signs, and performing administrative duties in clinics and hospitals. The demand for Medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage for Medical Assistants was $31,540 in May 2016, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $37,040.

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are unlicensed individuals who perform non-clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other health practitioners. They also perform administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records and billing patients. Medical assistants typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, although some states require certification.

What are the duties of a medical assistant?

Medical assistants are an important part of the healthcare team. They work closely with physicians and other medical staff to provide patient care and perform administrative tasks.

Most medical assistants have at least a high school diploma, although some programs offer certification. Many employers also prefer to hire candidates with previous experience working in a healthcare setting.

Medical assistants typically perform a variety of tasks, including taking medical histories and recording vital signs, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, and providing instructions to patients on follow-up care.

What is the job outlook for medical assistants?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2024, due in large part to the increasing number of aging baby boomers who require medical care and the continued expansion of outpatient surgical centers and other medical facilities. The demand for medical assistants will be further fueled by changes in insurance reimbursement rates that are driving more physicians to hire medical assistants to perform routine tasks so that the physicians can see more patients.

What are the educational requirements for medical assistants?

The majority of medical assistants have postsecondary education such as a certificate, diploma or associate degree from an accredited program. Many programs can be completed in less than one year, and some combine classroom study with supervised hands-on experience. Some states have certification requirements for medical assistants.

What are the certification requirements for medical assistants?

There are certification requirements for medical assistants in some states. In order to become certified, medical assistants must graduate from an accredited program, and pass a certification exam. Some states require certification in order to work as a medical assistant

What are the salary ranges for medical assistants?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not give specific salary ranges for medical assistants. However, they do provide information on the median annual wage and the percentile wage estimates for the bottom 10% and top 10% of workers in this occupation.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for medical assistants was $33,610 in May 2018. This means that half of all medical assistants earned less than this amount and half earned more. The percentile wage estimates for the bottom 10% and top 10% of workers in this occupation were $23,470 and $48,720, respectively.

To put these numbers into perspective, the median annual wage for all occupations was $38,640 in May 2018. The percentile wage estimates for the bottom 10% and top 10% of workers in all occupations were $22,840 and $84,780, respectively.

What are the benefits of being a medical assistant?

In addition to a competitive salary, medical assistants can also enjoy several advantages, such as a variety of job options, good working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement.

Some medical assistants choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as optometry or podiatry. Others may prefer to work in a specific type of medical facility, such as a hospital or nursing home. And still others may choose to work in a particular geographic region.

Whatever your preference, there is likely to be a medical assistant job that meets your needs. And because the demand for medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects should be good.

In addition, most medical assistants work in clean, well-lighted offices and clinics. They generally have regular working hours and do not typically work evenings or weekends. Some medical assistants may be required to work overtime on occasion, however.

What are the drawbacks of being a medical assistant?

There are several drawbacks to being a medical assistant. First, the job can be very physically demanding. Medical assistants may have to lift patients or equipment, stand for long periods of time, and do other physically strenuous tasks. Second, the job can be emotionally demanding. Medical assistants may have to deal with sick or injured patients, witness traumatic events, and deal with the stress of working in a high-pressure environment. Third, medical assistants may have to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. Fourth, medical assistants may have to work in exposure to hazardous materials. Finally, medical assistants may have to deal with the risk of being exposed to communicable diseases.

Conclusion

It is evident that medical assistants are in high demand and the outlook for the future is bright. With the aging Baby Boomer population and the Affordable Care Act there will be an increased need for medical assistants in physician’s offices, clinics and other healthcare facilities. The median annual salary for medical assistants is $29,960, and the top 10% earn more than $41,570 per year. With on-the-job training and experience, you can earn a higher salary.