How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make Hourly?
Contents
How much does a medical assistant make hourly? Depending on their experience, Medical assistants can make anywhere from $11 to $20 per hour.
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Introduction
The medical assistant profession has grown in popularity in recent years as more and more people are interested in working in the medical field. Medical Assistants are responsible for a variety of tasks, including taking patient medical histories and vital signs, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork, and performing basic laboratory tests.
while the average hourly pay for a medical assistant is $15.42, pay can vary depending on experience, location, and employer. In this guide, we’ll discuss how much medical assistants make hourly and what factors can affect their earnings.
What is a Medical Assistant?
A medical assistant is an allied health professional that supports the work of physicians and other health professionals, usually in outpatient clinics, by performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks.
Medical Assistant Duties
Medical assistants are trained to perform a variety of tasks in order to keep the offices of doctors and other medical practitioners running smoothly. Their duties can be divided into two main categories: administrative and clinical.
Administratively, medical assistants are responsible for tasks such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, handling insurance paperwork and billing, and maintaining patient records. clinically, they may take patients’ vital signs, prepare them for examination, help with procedures, give injections or assist with laboratory tests. Many medical assistants are also trained to take x-rays and perform basic lab tests.
Medical Assistant Training
Medical assistants are in high demand due to the increasing complexity of healthcare and the growing number of baby boomers entering the healthcare system. As a result, medical assistant training programs have become more popular, and there are now many options available to those interested in pursuing a career as a medical assistant.
Medical assistants work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and research facilities. They perform a wide range of duties, such as taking medical histories and recording vital signs, scheduling appointments, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with procedures, and providing instruction on how to take medication or manage chronic conditions. In some states, they may also be allowed to administer injections or perform basic lab tests.
The hours that medical assistants work vary depending on their employer and the type of facility in which they work. Many medical assistants work full time, although some may work part time or have variable schedules. Some medical assistants may also be required to work evenings or weekends.
The median hourly wage for medical assistants was $16.05 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.58, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.64.
Medical Assistant Certification
In order to become a medical assistant, you will first need to obtain your medical assistant certification. There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to attend an accredited school and then pass the certified medical assistant exam. Once you have your certification, you will be able to find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. The average medical assistant makes $15 per hour, but this can vary depending on experience and location.
Medical Assistant Salary
Medical assistants play a vital role in the healthcare industry. They are responsible for providing patient care and performing administrative tasks. Medical assistants are in high demand and their salary reflects this.
The average medical assistant makes $15.11 per hour. The median wage for medical assistants is $14.60 per hour. The top 10% of medical assistants make $19.33 per hour and the bottom 10% make $10.79 per hour.
Medical assistants can expect to receive a raise as they gain experience. Those with 1-5 years of experience make $13.95 per hour on average, while those with 5-10 years of experience make $16.21 per hour on average. Experienced medical assistants can make up to $18.50 per hour or more.
Medical Assistant Job Outlook
The medical assistant job outlook is positive, with an expected growth rate of 23% from 2019 to 2029.* This is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. The growing demand for healthcare services will result in an increased need for medical assistants.
As the baby-boom population ages, there will be an increase in the number of older adults who need medical care. These individuals will require more preventive and diagnostic medical services, which will lead to an increase in the demand for medical assistants.
In addition, as more and more insurance providers cover preventive medical services, there will be a greater demand for these services. This will lead to an increased need for medical assistants who can provide these services.
*Job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pros and Cons of Being a Medical Assistant
The medical assistant profession is one of the most versatile and fastest-growing in the healthcare industry. Medical assistants perform a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to support the work of physicians and other healthcare professionals. If you are considering a career as a medical assistant, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of the profession before making a decision.
Pros:
– Medical assistants are in high demand, with employment projected to grow 19% from 2019 to 2029.*
– Medical assistants can earn a good wage, with median hourly earnings of $16.26 in 2019.*
– Medical assistants have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private medical practices.
– Medical assistants can choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
– Medical assistants can advance their careers by becoming certified medical assistants.
Cons:
– Although medical assistant jobs are plentiful, competition for positions may be high in some areas.
– The duties of medical assistants can be physically demanding, such as standing for long periods or moving heavy equipment.
– Some employers may require medical assistants to work extended hours or on weekends.
Is a Medical Assistant Career Right for You?
Is a medical assistant career right for you? The answer may depend on what you’re looking for in a job. If you’re looking for a challenging career with good pay and job security, then a medical assistant career may be right for you.
Medical assistants are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical assistants will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2018 to 2028. This is due in part to an aging population and advances in medical technology that require more support staff.
As a medical assistant, you can expect to earn a good salary. The median annual wage for medical assistants was $34,800 in May 2018, with the top 10 percent earning more than $49,800. And hourly wages can range from $10 to $20 or more depending on your experience, education, and location.
Conclusion
In conclusion, medical assistants make a median hourly wage of $17.31. Wages typically start from $14.26 and go up to $21.41. Medical assistants with specialized training or certification can earn slightly higher wages. The best-paid 25 percent made $20.37 an hour or more, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $15.09 an hour or less.